Fairy Tales and Fantasy
Today I guest blogged for my friend Nichole, who was kind enough to write this post for me.
If you want to find out whether “stalking” is romantic or just plain creepy, head over to Nichole’s blog to see my thoughts!
http://nicholeparks.com/2015/03/20/guest-post-prince-stalking/
Until next time, word nerds!
Today the blog gets a visit from my good friend and fellow classmate Nichole Parks! In honor of the new Cinderella movie, Nichole shares about the ingredients of a successful fairy tale, using Cinderella as an example.
In whatever land you travel, there will be bedtime stories. They are whispered like prayers and as delicate as smoke from a smoldered candle. They open with a beginning which transition to a middle. But if you listen close, you will find they never really end.
Fairytales we call them. Fair, indeed.
For while living forever in a castle with a prince may encapsulate the hopes of a reader, I’m afraid the potion to writing a fairytale romance lies in the very potent never factor.
Never can Cinderella regain her social standing as a maid.
Never can Cinderella attend a royal ball dressed in rags.
Never can Cinderella gain the affection of a prince.
Lock away all dreams in the attic. Throw away the key. Dash every hope but the last. Then start building the forever on the five basics of a fairytale romance.
Love at first sight
Usually, one or both fairytale characters experience love at first sight. From the moment the hero and heroine gaze upon the others face, their connection is instantaneous. This deep, abiding love presents itself in the most innocent way during the first days of their tender romance.
It may not be a fiery passion. But meeting one another ignites something inside that compels the hero that they must see this girl again.
Think of Prince Charming’s dedication to find Cinderella.
Social class differences
Cinderella slept near the cinders.
Prince Charming stewed in the castle.
Time and time again, the hero and heroine fight for acceptance. Sometimes they resort to trickery in order to prove their worth. Perhaps that’s the reason for so many masquerade balls.
Nature
Fairytales deal with the rawest parts of humanity—the glow of hope inside each and every one of us. That with a little faith, hope, and pixie dust we really could fly. Those vulnerable parts are so virile and ripe, it’s no wonder that nature plays such a significant role.
Pumpkins, mice, and birds aren’t magical. They do, however provide a solid organic connection for a story so riveted with supernatural elements.
Magic must end before true love’s test
The clock must strike midnight before a timeless ever after occurs. Because, if you are going to have magic up your sleeves, then your heroes are going to have to roll up their sleeves to work for their heart’s desire.
If the magic never fades, who’s to say true love isn’t a spell?
Princes may dance with the prettiest girl, but it is the heroes who fights for the prettiest girl.
Don’t cripple love with magic. Love is more. A sacrifice will always be stronger than a spell—Beauty and the Beast proves that.
Happily ever after
In whatever land you travel, there will be bedtime stories. They are whispered like prayers and as delicate as smoke from a smoldering candle. They open with a beginning which transition to a middle. But if you listen close, you will find they never really end.
About Nichole: Nichole Parks majors in dark humor and dark chocolate at Taylor University. She makes her headquarters at Zondervan Library where she works remotely as Associate Editor of Splickety Love, blogs at nicholeparks.com , and perfects her application for The Bachelor.
Links:
http://nicholeparks.com/
In which I rant about Disney princesses. Partly inspired by a recent blog post by my friend Amy Green, and partly by my thoughts on Strong Female Characters.
What do you think? Share your opinions below. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Until next time, word nerds!
Dear Fairy Godmother,
The world is such a big place. It makes me feel so small sometimes. I want to see all that is has to offer, but travel is expensive. How can I expand on my little corner of the world?
Thumbelina
Dear Thumbelina,
The world is indeed large, but that’s not a bad thing. There aren’t any ways to make it smaller, and I certainly agree that travel is often out of the question, but there are things that you can do to make your small portion of it bigger.
1. Act like a tourist in your own hometown. See what your city has to offer those who don’t live there. You might stumble across some hidden gem you never thought to explore because it’s always been there.
2. Grab some friends, get in the car, and spend a day on the road. You’d be surprised how many new things you’ll find if you look for them.
And that’s the most important piece of advice I can give you: look for new and exciting things. You’ll find more than you thought. It’s all about attitude!
And remember, never stop dreaming!
Your Fairy Godmother
While they speak the same language, Europeans have a different way of saying things.
Until next time, word nerds!
I was walking across campus this morning (very carefully, because it’s ridiculously icy today) trying to decide what to write about when a thought struck me.
Why do so many fairy tales involve woods?
Think about it. Sleeping Beauty was raised in the woods, then her castle was isolated by a forest of thorns. Snow White ran to the forest to avoid death. Red Riding Hood traveled through the woods (and maybe over a river?) to her grandmother’s house. Hansel and Gretel were lost (or abandoned) in the dark part of the forest. Rapunzel was locked in a tower hidden deep in the woods. (Sidenote: there aren’t very many good synonyms for “woods”. I hate that I have to write it every sentence.) The twelve dancing princesses traveled to a magical wood every night for a ball. The beast’s castle in Beauty and the Beast is traditionally surrounded by a dark forest. Even the original story of Cinderella uses the woods! Her wish is granted by a magical tree at her mother’s grave rather than a fairy godmother. (In some versions the tree is in the forest, in others it’s in more of a garden. Still. It’s a tree.)
I’m not the first person to notice this trend; the whole premise of “Into the Woods” is that all the fairy tale characters run into each other in the same woods. I haven’t had time to research the significance of this theme, so I’ll share my personal theory.
In the time when most of these stories were told, the woods were a place of mystery. They were sometimes dangerous, sometimes a source of life. The woods represented the unknown. Because they were mysterious, they were regarded as magical. So it makes sense that stories of magic would include the forests. Again, this is simply speculation, not fact.
Why do you think the woods were so prominently featured in fairy tales?
Until next time, word nerds!
New video! This time, I’m reviewing The Fault in our Stars, which I recently read for the first time.
I’m always looking for something to read, so comment below and recommend some titles!
Until next time, word nerds!
Dear Fairy Godmother,
I have seriously got, like, the worst parents ever! They are so strict! I keep trying to get them to loosen up, but no amount of arguing works. They can’t believe that I’m growing up. They might as well lock me up in a tower somewhere for all the freedom I get.
How can I make them see me as a responsible young adult?
A Total Rapunzel
Dear “Rapunzel”
I’m truly sorry you feel so trapped. In regards to your situation, I have two pieces of advice.
First, try to see your parents’ point of view. It might be true that they are having trouble seeing you as grown-up, but that’s because you are their little girl. They instinctively want to shelter you from the troubles of the world.
Second, the best way to prove to your parents that you are responsible is to be responsible. Ask for small concessions or changes and show that you can handle them. Don’t throw tantrums when you don’t get your way. Use logic and reason instead of arguments and emotions. They’ll respect you for that.
The most important thing I can encourage you to do is simply to talk. Tell your parents how you feel and listen to what they have to say with an open mind. Compromise isn’t easy, but it is well worth the work. I wish you the best of luck in this adventure.
And remember, never stop dreaming!
Your Fairy Godmother
Due to an overwhelming amount of homework, technological issues, and a busy life in general, I won’t be posting a video today. But I’ll be back on track next week, promise!
Gandalf. Obi-Wan Kenobi. Mufasa. Have you started crying yet?
In so many fantasy stories, and some of our favorite Disney movies too, we are faced with the death (however brief) of beloved characters. Aside from the fact that writers are cruel, inhuman monsters who like to toy with the emotions of readers and movie-goers, there are actually two reasons we are so often faced with the characters we love so much.
1. To force the hero into action. When faced with a perilous journey, many young farm boys or other unassuming heroes-to-be are reluctant to begin their quest. Often they will completely refuse to leave home. At such a time, the hero can only be spurred into action by the death of someone important. It’s harsh, but it will set the hero on a path of vengeance, or show just how evil the antagonist can be. The hero becomes determined to defeat said evil and save the world!
2. To allow the hero to save the day. Heroes almost always have mentors. The one who teaches the hero about magic, fighting, morals, and other useful things. Unfortunately, as long as that mentor is around, the hero will rely on him or her. In order for the hero to realize his (or her) true strength, the mentor can’t be in the picture.While this can be accomplished with distance, death is more permanent at least, the hero thinks so).
Granted, Mufasa’s death doesn’t seem to fit these categories. I think of it as a delayed reason to fight.
Who are some of your favorite characters who met an untimely demise?
Until next time, word nerds!
Kate G. Jameson