Fairy Tale Essay Assignment

Fairy Tales

            Fairy Tales have become synonymous with culture, early education and childhood.  What is the appeal of these stories? How do they endure through various cultures, translations, and times? You will be given a choice of tasks to complete for this assignment which address these very concerns. Choose one of the following assignments:

    A.) Creative Writing

                        Based upon what we have seen thus far, every fairytale contains certain characteristics (they should be found in your notes).  Design a fairytale that represents a cultural identity and the characteristics or redesign an older fairy tale to emphasize a modern cultural idea different from the original tale. The tales we have read/discussed in class are not options.  You may choose the culture you wish to represent, but it should be intertwined with the tale and represent that culture's customs and morals

Requirements:

   A complete full fairy tale that has

1.)    a clear opening, middle and end.

2.)    Demonstrates a majority of the characteristics

               https://www.courses.psu.edu/ger/ger100_fgg1/transparencies/fairytales.html

3.)    Clearly gives a moral or cultural depiction.

Please include a paragraph detailing your moral/cultural belief that you are representing or redesigning in your story.

          B.)  Interpreting Fairy Tales

                        Choose Several Fairy Tales (3-5) from the collection given below. Examine these tales for one of the following ideas:

a.)    Culturally what do they show us/teach us about society?

b.)    Is there a common idea, theme, or concept developed through out these tales?

c.)    How have fairy tales changed/developed over time?  (be sure to give an original, a “classical” and modern version of the same tale). 

Source of Tales:            http://www.pitt.edu/~dash. 

UPDATE!!  the old link is not working - please try the following link.  If this does not work, please comment so that I can correct it.

http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm.html

Update: You may also want to use the following link:

http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimmtales.html   (courtesy of Will Smith)

Requirements:

Advanced:  a.) Reference to at least 2 tales.

b.) one direct quote and two paraphrasing quotations

d.)     Rules of Formal Writing

e.)      Clear thesis, paragraph development and conclusion

Honors:

a.) Reference to at least 3 tales.

b.) minimum 3 direct quotes.

f.)       Rules of Formal Writing

g.)     Clear thesis, paragraph development and conclusion

Due Date:  Rough Draft - March 4, 2011.
                 Final Draft - March 9, 2011

Maximum page lengths: Creative Writing is to be no more than 6 pages.
                                            Analytical Writing is to be no more than 4 pages.

February 11, 2011 - Fairy Tales

Below are links to websites for three fairy tales.  Please read each one for the given due date.

                  Snow White (February 14, 2011)
                  http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm053.html

                 Bear Skin(February 14, 2011)
                 http://www.familymanagement.com/literacy/grimms/grimms76.html

Upon completing the reading, please address the following questions:
             1.) What characteristics were common to both tales and maybe be evident of characteristics
                   of fairy tales in general?
            2.) These tales were often told to children, what do you think children would glean from this work?
            3.) What do these tales demonstrate of the culture?

Cinderella (February 15, 2011)
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0510a.html

       1.) Be sure to read The Brother's Grimm version listed under number 3
       2.) Read number 18  The Native American Cinderella
       3.) Read number 12 Conkiajgharuna,  The Little Rag Girl
       4.) Read the Ancient Egyptian version:   http://library.thinkquest.org/J002037F/egyptian_cinderella.htm

Create two columns and take note of similarities in the tales and differences.

If you would like to read further fairy tales, please check out the links below.
Further Fairy Tales:

http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/folktexts.html

http://www.familymanagement.com/literacy/grimms/grimms-toc.html

Feb. 7, 2011 - Guest Speaker

On Febraury 7, 2011, Geoffrey Brahmer and Dr. Harold Burszta will be presenting to our classes on the topic of the Lodz Ghetto.  Please take a moment and blog your response to their presentations. You may write what you would like, this is a chance for you to express your opinion.  This will be a 5 point homework assignment.  Please take the time to read what others have posted and react to their comments. Also, be aware that this is a blog and your comments will become public knowledge.

Thank you,
Mr. McCarthy