Monday, March 26, Second Period

As soon as the class is assembled, Aziraphale stands up from his chair and begins the lecture.

"Today we begin our last unit for this class, with a discussion of symbolism in fairy tales. We've looked at various ways that characters and themes can be portrayed in the stories, and now we'll take a look at the objects in the fairy tale environment. Very often, a food, an article of clothing, an animal, even a color can hold a deeper meaning than what we see on the surface. Your assigned readings for today's class are filled with examples of this symbolism.

"First, let's take a look at 'natural symbols', or things that appear in the natural world. Taking some examples from previous readings, look at central character in "Lambikin". The story could have easily been told with any sort of central character, but the storyteller probably choose to use a lamb because of the ideas of innocence and naivete that are often traditionally associated with lambs and sheep. In "Little Snow White", the sorceress makes use of a poisoned apple in order to try and murder Snow White -- calling to mind the Biblical image of the apple that brought about the Fall of Man, and reinforcing her connection with Evil.

"Secondly, we'll look at 'artifical symbols', or man-made items that appear in the tales. Sleeping Beauty falls victim to a curse brought about by handling a spinning wheel -- a traditional feminine symbol, and one that in this context may be used to convey the idea of passage from childhood to adulthood. The child-heroine pricks her finger, drawing blood, and falls asleep, to be awakened as the woman-heroine, receiving her first kiss and thus entering the world of sexuality, marriage and family."

CLASS DISCUSSION: "For today's discussion, I'd like you to give an example of a 'natural symbol' and an 'artificial symbol' from the readings you were assigned for today: "Little Red Cap", "Diamonds and Toads", and "East of the Sun, West of the Moon". Tell us what deeper meaning you feel might be displayed by the storyteller's use of that particular object. And keep in mind that much of reading symbolism into a story is subjective -- your own background and experiences may lead to a different interpretation than that of your classmates, and there are no right or wrong answers."

ASSIGNED READING: "Rushencoatie", "Johnny Gloke", and "Baba Yaga"

"Before you leave today, please make note of the list of absences I've written up on the blackboard. I'll need excuses from each of these students turned in to me by the end of the week. Also, those of you who missed last week's class will need to make arrangements to make up the exam."

Matilda Wormwood (four absences)
Jude Lizowski (one absence)
Miley Stewart (one absence)
Conner McKnight (one absence)


[ooc: Please wait for OCD is now up.]


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