Sometimes a frog is just a frog. Chris and Jerry talk about the The Brothers Grimm fairy tales and how they can prove to be very beneficial when teaching children about the harsh realities of life.
Once Upon A Time
I was reading an article written by Joan Acocella about the lure of fairytales. The article adequately entitled “Once Upon A Time” debuted in the New Yorker in 2012 and focused on the narratives initially depicted by the Grimm Brothers. Over time and through many iterations, the tales have taken on various different meanings and are occasionally dumb’d down to appeal to more young readers. Most of the tales, as horribly depicted as they are, are rich with deeper meanings and can teach us (and our children) a lot about life and the misconceptions of the fairy tale ending.
Allowing children access to the nitty gritty of the Grimm stories is not necessary the worst thing a parent can do. Life is about lessons we learn along the way. Do something wrong and we are taught to understand why it is wrong — the act we committed— so that we will not make the same mistake again. Read a child the story of stepmother who hates her step child and open up a discussion as to why she hated that child and how her behavior not only hurts herself but also the man she “loved” (father), and the innocent daughter who has to take the rap for beheading her brother. What makes the story good is that it is so bad, however, it engages the reader with intrigue. What’s wrong with spicing things up a little bit? We read children the bible… well, some of us and that book is full of horrible imaginary and sideways interpretations.
In this episode, Jerry and Chris present a few chosen favorites from the Grimm Fairy Tales and explain the inherently good and bad of telling a good or bad tale. Also, we take time to consider the notion of why it is okay for parents should buy the true Grimm Tales as they were told in 1812 and use them as the perfect weapon against children who don’t like to read and don’t like to listen to you read. Great storytelling encourage more reading and although nightmares might be a resulting factor at lest they won’t fall asleep until The End.
What’s in the Fold
The Whale
We started out with the tale of all tales, Moby Dick, about a man and his whale. We wondered what it would sound like if Jerry attempt to read a passage from the great novel.
Once Upon A Time
Jerry explains how he came upon this subject as a topic of discussion. “Once Upon a Time” is an article written by Joan Acocella of the New Yorker in which she discusses the evolution of the Grimm tales and the early inspirations of Wilhelm Carl and Jacob Grimm.
Hansel and Gretel
Poor kids and the stepmother who did not want them. Dad thought against the idea of leaving the children to some old lady in a creepy house but mommy dearest thought otherwise and whence comes just another instances of stepmothers behaving badly — no wonder why they get a bad rap.
The Stories of Old
Jerry and Chris talk tales of handsome men, headless boys, and horrible stepmothers.
Handsome Jack
Always played by the rules; listening to everything his mother told him to do and following her every direction.
Juniper Tree
No wonder remains surrounding the mysteries of the dreadful stepmother. They are evil and this story true proves why everything resents The Replacement Mommy.
White Snake
A great moral tale about paying it forward; good deeds begat goods deeds as a common server attempts to woo a lady who is way out of his league.
Grimm: The Television Series
Jerry found a pilot episode and likens the show to Buffy: The Vampire Slayer. The similarities between the monster/human relationship and violence well done makes for an interesting watch. Jerry endorses but has yet to watch another episode. Adam has been a fan of the show since it debuted but was unable to attend the recording session.
Fables
Chris describes to Jerry fables and how Once Upon A Time is just a blatant rip-off.
The Legend of the Titanic
A grandfather mouse tells his grandchildren the “real” story of the Titanic disaster, including him.
When cartoons get real about death. This movie as, Chris explains it, retells the horrific tale of the Titanic using cartoon animals.