Intercultural Studies 07-233
Religion
and Modern Literature
HUMAN MEANING IN FOLK TALES
Dr.
Norman King, Languages, Literatures, and
Cultures/ Langues, Littératures, et Cultures
7105 Lambton
Tel. (519) 253-3000, ext.
2879 e-mail: nking@uwindsor.ca
“An
examination of ultimate human questions concerning life, death,
meaning, value, and God, as reflected in selected folk tales, classical
and modern.”
THEME:
A study of the human
quest for self-discovery, meaning, and transcendence as expressed and
symbolized in selected folk tales. Consideration of universal human
questions faced by child and adult alike: the journey to personal,
social, and spiritual growth and maturity; its struggles, perils,
discoveries, and transformations; its individual and communal
dimensions. Comparisons with religious stories, symbols, beliefs.
Attention will be given to the
layers and variations in these stories, as well as the changing
perspectives, conflicts, role definitions, and expectations
reflected in them.
READINGS:
•Maria Tatar (editor). The
Classic Fairy Tales (Norton Critical Edition).
•Courseware Pack
ASSIGNMENTS:
•Mid-Term Exam. Based on class material and
readings. June 7, 2004. 40%
•Final Exam. Based on class
material and readings. June 30, 2004.
60%
“Fairy tales are still
arguably the most powerfully formative tales of childhood and permeate
mass media for children and adults. ... The staying power of
these stories, their widespread and enduring popularity, suggests that
they must be addressing issues that have a significant social
function–whether critical, conservative, compensatory, or therapeutic..
... Fairy tales register an effort on the part of both women and men to
develop maps for coping with personal anxieties, family conflicts,
social fictions, and the myriad frustrations of everyday
life.” Maria Tatar
Tentative
Outline
INTRODUCTION:
FOLK TALES AND THE QUEST FOR MEANING
[1] The Basic Human Quest: “Straw Into
Gold”–An Introductory Interpretation: Rumpletzkin.
[2] An Initial Overview: Maria Tatar:
(Introduction to The Classic Fairy Tales [CFT], ix-xviii.
[3] The Struggle for Meaning and the Child:
Bruno Bettleheim’s Perspective [CFT 269-273].
[4] Wonder and Wisdom: “The Logic of Elfland”
by G. K. Chesterton.
[5] The Female voice in Folk Tales: Karen
Rowe, Marina Warner [CFT 297-317]
[6] The Folk Tale Hero and Heroine as
‘Everyman’: Max Luthi’s Viewpoint.
[7] Images of the Child in Folk Tales: Shavit
[CFT 317-332], NK.
[8] Other themes: historical, literary,
religious issues.
Note: These topics will not all be treated
at the beginning of the course, but discussed frequently in conjunction
with the exploration of individual stories
EXPLORATION OF
INDIVIDUAL STORIES
[1] STORIES of
BIRTH, GROWTH, and MATURING (e.g., Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel).
[2] STORIES of
LOSS, CONFLICT, and FULFILLMENT within FAMILY and COMMUNITY (e.g.,
Hansel and Gretel, Three Little Pigs, Snow White, Cinderella).
[3] STORIES of
DEPARTURE, JOURNEY, and QUEST (e.g., Little Red Riding Hood, The Snow
Queen).
[4] STORIES of
CHALLENGE, TASK, and STRUGGLE (e.g., Jack and the Beanstalk, The Three
Feathers).
[5] STORIES of
TRANSFORMATION (E.g., Beauty and the Beast, The Frog King).
[6] OTHER THEMES
(Relationship to NATURE, ANIMAL KINGDOM, GIANTS, etc.) (E.g.,
Goldilocks, White Snake, Bluebeard).
[7] INDIVIDUAL
AUTHORS: 19th & 20th century: Hans Christian Andersen, Oscar Wilde,
Robert Munsch (e.g., The Little Match Girl, The Selfish Giant, The
Paper Bag Princess).