BRAIN OVER BRAWN (The Trickster)

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The trickster is a very popular fairy tale character and continues today, as noted by Hallett and Karasek in their introduction to this chapter, found on page 165 of your text. Tricksters interests us because they “thumb their noses” at authority figures and give vent to feelings of frustration that lower levels of society had no recourse to express. Readers enjoy how tricksters are able to overcome more powerful adversaries through mischief and cunning. Consider figures like Robin Hood or Captain Jack Sparrow, for example, who are often seen as heroic. It is amusing to see the character’s wit and audacity, but it is also somewhat unsettling because there is an element of amorality and narcissism to the character and his actions (the trickster was almost always depicted as a male character). Notice in tales such as with “Jack and the Beanstalk” that size and strength are overcome by superior cunning. Jack is a typical trickster character with his lack of moral purpose and risk-taking attitude. Remember that people at the time were often powerless and unable to protest injustices of the upper classes. The trickster stories were a way of expressing discontent without fear of punishment. As Hallett and Karasek note, this is a type of “socio-political therapy; the exuberant manner in which the underdog/protagonist sets about the task of exploiting the stupidity of his opponent must offer a over pointed satisfaction” (p.165).
TOPIC: Consider the social/political attack being made by the amoral and narcissistic nature of the trickster in at least two of the below tales as he overcomes his opponent throughout cunning and wit. You may consider the social relevance of today’s political circus in your essay if you like.
“The Brave Little Tailor” by J & W Grimm p.168
“The Emperor’s New Clothes” by H.C. Anderson p.173
“Puss in Boots” by C. Perrault p.183
“The Story of the Three Little Pigs” by Joseph Jacobs p.186
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NEW WINE IN OLD BOTTLES (Retellings of old fairy tales)

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As Hallett and Karasek note in regard to retellings of old tales, “The familiarity of the tales also invites an Ironic perspective, as the writer I poses a modern self-consciousness upon the one-dimensional nature of the fairy tale characterization… reflecting our society’s fascination with the deeper wellsprings of human behaviour.” Certainly, many of these retellings have a strongly feminist slant. “As [women] have struggled to assert their position in the societal and political worlds, some have identified the fairy tales as an early contributor to sexual inequality, noting that the female is often depicted as passive and subservient, the beautiful appendage to the superior male” (Hallett & Karasek p.235).
TOPIC: Compare the new and old versions of ONE of the following choices. How does the retelling alter the message and representation of women and female sexuality and/or power?
1. Comparing new versions of “Red Riding Hood”
There are many versions of this tale, so choose a few old and new to focus on rather than trying to cover them all. Focus on the new as we have already discussed the older versions in class.
Original Little Red Riding Hood stories begin p.25-39
“Little Red Riding Hood” by David McPhail p.238
“The Company of Wolves” by Angela Carter p.240
“Wolf” by Francesca Lia Block p.248
2. Comparing new versions of “Cinderella”
There are many versions of this tale, so choose a few old and new to focus on rather than trying to cover them all. Focus on the new as we have already discussed the older versions in class.
Original Cinderella tales begin p.40-75
“When the Clock Strikes” by Tanith Lee p.266
“The Wicked Stepmother’s Lament” by Sara Maitland p.279
3. Comparing new versions of “Snow White”
There are many versions of this tale, so choose a few old and new to focus on rather than trying to cover them all. Focus on the new as we have already discussed the older versions in class.
Original “Snow White” tale p.101 by Grimm
“Snow White” Merseyside Collection p.284
“Snow, Glass, Apples” by Neil Gaiman p.290
4. Comparing a new version of “Beauty and the Beast”
Original tale: “Beauty and the Beast” by Madame Leprince de Beaumont p.128
“The Tale of the Rose” by Emma Donoghue p.300
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Hofstede’s Cultural Dimension Theory

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You have been selected to open two subsidiaries of organization XYZ. The headquarters of the organization is in the KSA. The organization is dedicated to the production of mobile devices. One of these new subsidiaries will be located in Mexico and the other one will be located in Denmark.As you can see in the image […]