Core 164: Fairy Tale Themes in Literature Paper Modern Uses of Fairy Tales Choose one of the topics below and write a clear and cogently argued paper of 6-7 pages. 1) Chose one of our modern/contemporary retellings of a fairy tale (or, with my okay, find a modern fairy tale) and analyze how it adapts a fairy tale or fairy tale elements for a modern audience. This assignment is not merely a compare/contrast assignment; you need to do much more than say "they changed a lot of stuff in this version” or “they made it more modern in this version.” Instead, you should look for patterns of change that work together to make the text a fairy tale for modern times. Focus your paper around a specific thesis/claim. You might, for example, examine the transformation of a single character from one version to another. Is the character's function or development different? Why might that character be rendered differently? What is the effect of that change in character? How does the text render that change in character? Similarly, you might examine the theme(s), morals, or particular motifs* of the different versions. Does the modern text have the same "moral" or lesson as the original fairy tale? Are there thematic elements that are different or that are stressed differently? How are these differences in themes products of their cultural context (their time, place or audience)? If there are not significant differences, why and how are the themes relevant to a more modern culture or audience? Some themes you might choose include parenting and parental relationships; rebirth; disobedience; nature; independence; good and evil; death; marriage; gender roles. You might propose another focus, but please check with me and get my approval first. You have many possibilities for your focus. You may use any of the modern texts on our syllabus. Similarly, there are plenty of modern re-tellings of traditional fairy tales. Angela Carter has more stories in The Bloody Chamber, and Sexton's Transformations has plenty more poetic re-tellings of Grimms' fairy tales. Similarly, you might look at more stories by Lia Francesca Block or by Emma Donoghue. You can find plenty of interesting modern retellings in My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me, edited by Kate Bernheimer. (Click here to go to the Google Books site for Bernheimer's book.). This paper should be an in-depth analysis that has a clearly articulated and clearly argued thesis. *Motif: "In literature, recurrent images, words, objects, phrases, or actions that tend to unify the work are called motives (or motifs]” -- Handbook to Literature, C. Hugh Holman and William Harmon, eds. New York: Macmillan, 1992. ull will lile linal draft when you submit it. LOL. s you construct your paper be sure that you: 1. Focus your paper around a thesis that makes an analytical point about the text (i.e you should make an argument); 2. Base your argument on close reading of the text-examine and analyze the language, imagery, plot, and/or character development in order to support your argument; 3. Use specific references to the text in your argument, and be sure that you provide sufficient explanation/analysis of your examples; 4. Shape clear, coherent, and unified paragraphs (including an introduction and a conclusion); 5. Develop your argument logically and coherently; 6. Write in clear, effective, grammatically-correct prose; 7. Provide a thoughtful title for your paper; 8. Number your pages; 9. staple or paper-clip your paper, 10. Use sufficient research; 11. Document any research in proper MLA style. the library has a handout available:
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