On day 3 we dove into summer reading in earnest with an introduction to fables and fairy tales. The kids had read selections from Aesop's Fables (ed. by Jerry Pinkney, 2000) and Michael Foreman's Classic Fairy Tales (2005) before they arrived, and both were a big hit! As you can see from the contents, Foreman's Classic Fairy Tales covers the highlights:
We discussed Vladimir Propp's theory of the fairy tale at some length. Propp claims there are 31 possible functions (or plot points) in the fairy tale, along with seven basic character functions: hero, false hero, villain, helper, donor, dispatcher, and princess (or prize). Propp's 31 functions are:
1.
Absentation: the hero leaves home and/or someone dies (often a parent)
2. Interdictions: a big rule is set (e.g., you can't go to the
ball)
3. Violation: someone breaks the big rule
4. Reconnaissance: the villain seeks something and spies on the
hero
5. Delivery: the villian gains information
6. Trickery: the villain tricks the hero
7. Complicity: the hero is forced, or tricked, or influenced by magic to do
something bad
8. Villainy: someone does something evil (e.g., kidnaps the princess)
9. Meditation: the hero discovers a lack of
something and gets ready to embark on a quest
10.
Beginning counteraction: the hero fights back or chooses a positive action
11.
Departure: the hero leaves on a mission, voluntarily or not
12.
Testing: the hero is challenged to prove his heroic qualities
13.
The hero’s reaction to the test
14.
Acquisition of magical item
15.
Guidance: the hero reaches a new place
16.
Struggle: the hero and villian do battle
17.
Branding: the hero is marked as a hero either with a token or a mark
18.
Victory: the villian is defeated
19.
Liquidation: the initial misfortune or lack is resolved
20.
The Return: the hero sets out for home
21.
Pursuit: the hero is chased by the villain
22.
Rescue: the pursuit ends
23.
Unrecognized: the hero comes home and no one knows who he is
24.
Unfounded claims: someone else claims to be the hero
25.
Difficult task: to prove s/he’s the hero, the hero must
complete a task or a test of strength
26.
Solution: the hero chooses right, guesses right, or wins the fight
27.
Recognition: everyone realizes that the hero is the hero
28.
Exposure: the false hero is exposed
29.
Transfiguration: the hero is given a new appearance, or new clothes or a palace
30.
Punishment: the false hero and villain are punished
31. Wedding: the hero marries and ascends the throne
We read a Russian fairy tale to see how many functions it contained — very many! We also talked about how those plot points are a blueprint for many of popular books and films (e.g., Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, pretty much anything released by Disney).
Then the kids made up and staged their own fairy tales, complete with crowns, capes, and homemade swords:
Performances were passionate and inspired. Later on they illustrated their favorite fables:
And when they got sick of literature, we pulled out a fail-safe crowd pleaser — chickens!
Next week we'll tackle versification and nonsense poetry (Jabberwocky!).
No comments:
Post a Comment