After you read the background lesson on folk & fairy tales, two versions each of AT 425, "Little Red Riding
Hood," and "Cinderella," an article about tales, and a modern feminist fairy tale "The Improper Princess,"
- Identify a motif (an object, character type, or specific event) for each tale. It doesn't have to be a
different motif for each tale. Can you find any motifs that are repeated in different tales? Is it a motif
shared by a pair of tale versions, or is there an interesting difference (for example, the recognition symbol
in the two versions of "Cinderella" are a little different). Which motif is most interesting to you, and why?
- Compare some of the traditional and literary characteristics in the tales. What effect does that
difference in narrative style have? (Hint: the tales by Perrault, Leprince de Beaumont, and Wrede are
more literary; the Grimms and Dasent stay closer to oral traditions.)
- "The Improper Princess" by Patricia C. Wrede is an example of a feminist fairy tale written for children
& teens. It also uses parody in some places. I'm sure you noticed that while Wrede uses many traditional
motifs, she uses them in some different ways or for different purposes than traditional tales would.
Discuss the similarities and differences that you think are most interesting or important between Wrede's
tale and some of the others we've read.
Sample Solution