So... Many years ago I scoffed at Disney's versions of fairy tales, and how they've ruined them by sanitizing them. Just a couple of years back when I really started making a study of fairy tales, however, I came to appreciate Disney's versions as legitimate permutations of the tales. I still think it's a complete travesty that most people grow
(
Read more... )
Probably not, but that doesn't mean they won't try. ;)
I think Riah would like the less-than-happy endings and enjoy the tales for themselves, but I'm honestly not sure Naomi would take it well at all.
It's worth noting that for the most part these stories were originally concocted and told in a time when there really wasn't such a thing as "childhood." Once you were old enough to work, that's what you did. Popular theory says that most of these stories were told to pass the time while people were weaving or engaged in some other sort of work that did not preclude conversation.
I'm forced to admit that when I perform as a children's storyteller I edit out the worst of the violence and gloss over anything that screams "SEX" to my adult brain. Largely this is because I want to get paid and worry that the sorts of people who can afford to hire a storyteller for a party are the sorts of people who are perfectly happy with the Disney versions. But partly I do it because children (for good or ill) are allowed to develop (emotionally, intellectually and socially) differently today than they were when these stories were first told, or even when they were first written down.
I also, for the record, am very selective about what stories I tell during my kids show because some fairy tales just aren't worth telling without all the sex and violence.
Reply
Interesting thought spinoff. Maybe this is why I feel that Riah would cope with the tales better. Her "childhood" realistically ended at the age of 6, and her reality is dramatically altered and by necessity a bit more focused on mortality.
I completely understand and respect your choices for editing with an audience of children. You never really know what lifestyles and level of adult content (for lack of a better term) their parents have already exposed them to, or are comfortable with. Not getting paid because they found the presentation too adult would seriously suck.
Reply
It hadn't occurred to me, but it makes a lot of sense that she'd be better equipped than most children to deal with adult themes and ideas--particularly those dealing with mortality.
Not getting paid because they found the presentation too adult would seriously suck.
Exactly. For my own sanity I try to choose stories that don't require too much "cleaning up," but there's only so many of those out there.
Reply
Leave a comment