Critical Multicultural Analysis of Folktales

If folktales and fairy tales are supposed to convey
fundamental universal truths, or validate the past,
then why do storytellers change the stories? When
stories share similar folktale characteristics (also
referred to as motifs), do they also share the same
messages? Today there are many versions of
traditional tales as well as revised and reworked
tales that provide different points of view. One
particular tale that has a number of counter
perspectives is Rumpelstiltskin. The Grimm Brothers
first recorded Rumpelstiltskin nearly two centuries
ago. This intriguing tale has a seemingly anti-social
message. The only character who tells the truth is
the villain, yet he is the only one who is punished.
This book analyzes Rumpelstiltskin for its
nonconformity to predictable patterns and its
implications for society. Applying a critical
multicultural analysis of these adaptations brings
power relations to the surface, and highlights how
power can be exercised. By identifying the implicit
power in children s literature and folktales such as
Rumpelstiltskin, readers can consider how texts
maintain, counteract, and promote alternative
systemic power structures.

Autorentext

Jane E. Kelley, Ed.D.: Language, Literacy, and Culture Program atUniversity of Massachusetts - Amherst. Assistant Professor ofChildren's Literature and Literacy Education at Washington StateUniversity, Pullman, Washington.

Klappentext

If folktales and fairy tales are supposed to conveyfundamental universal truths, or validate the past,then why do storytellers change the stories? Whenstories share similar folktale characteristics (alsoreferred to as motifs), do they also share the samemessages? Today there are many versions oftraditional tales as well as revised and reworkedtales that provide different points of view. Oneparticular tale that has a number of counterperspectives is Rumpelstiltskin. The Grimm Brothersfirst recorded Rumpelstiltskin nearly two centuriesago. This intriguing tale has a seemingly anti-socialmessage. The only character who tells the truth isthe villain, yet he is the only one who is punished.This book analyzes Rumpelstiltskin for itsnonconformity to predictable patterns and itsimplications for society. Applying a criticalmulticultural analysis of these adaptations bringspower relations to the surface, and highlights howpower can be exercised. By identifying the implicitpower in children's literature and folktales such asRumpelstiltskin, readers can consider how textsmaintain, counteract, and promote alternativesystemic power structures.