http://a-phale.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] a-phale.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2007-01-15 10:40 am

Traditional Fairy Tales, Class Two

Monday, January 15, Period 2

The table in the center of the room was filled with breakfast pastries and hot drinks, there were stacks of books close at hand for the students to borrow for their readings assignments, and Aziraphale looked quite cheerful as he sat in his armchair and waited for the class to arrived.

"Good morning, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed your first week of classes. Today we'll begin our discussion of the basic character archetypes found in fairy tales. Your assigned reading was Jack the Giant Killer and Molly Whuppie. Following the lecture, we'll discuss the central characters in these two stories, and how they fit into the roles of hero and villain."

LECTURE: "With a few exceptions, every fairy tale contains two central figures: the hero or heroine, and the villain. These characters can take many forms, from innocent child to clever thief, from evil stepmother to hungry wolf, but the central conflict of a fairy tale often evolves around the idea of the hero outwitting the villain. The hero may have a quest to fulfill, a puzzle to solve, or a difficult situation to escape. They may act out of self-defense, altruism, love, or necessity -- sometimes even out of greed or fear. Heros display a common set of characteristics -- in general, they are quick-witted, creative, and bold. Villains are not always evil, but are in general selfish and greedy, and usually act out of a desire to fulfill personal needs or an often baseless dislike of the hero."

DISCUSSION: "Take a look at the two stories from your assigned reading. Identify the hero and villain in each one, and then explain what motivates their actions. In your opinion, why is the villain villainous, and why does the hero act heroically?

"I would also like you to take a little time at the end of class to meet with the members of your project groups. I'll be expecting proposals for your final project in a few weeks, and I'll try to give you time during each class to meet with one another."

ASSIGNMENT: "For next week, read Mr Fox and John the True."


[ooc: For those who are new to Aziraphale's classes, there is always a spread of breakfast pastries and hot drinks, which you are free to mod. Also, the room is always arranged with comfortable chairs and couches for seating, rather than desks. Please wait for the OCD threads are now up, and class is in session.]


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chasingangela: (charms)

Re: Meet with your Project Groups

[personal profile] chasingangela 2007-01-15 09:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Angela also shook Neil's hand, then glanced at Aziraphale. "He hasn't said what kind of projects these should be, has he?"

Re: Meet with your Project Groups

[identity profile] lovelylana.livejournal.com 2007-01-15 09:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Lana nodded. "At the first class he said we were going to have to take a fairy tale not used in the class, identify all the elements of it, then update it for a different setting and present it in class on the last day."

Re: Meet with your Project Groups

[identity profile] dude-its-jude.livejournal.com 2007-01-16 12:01 am (UTC)(link)
"Um, hey guys," Jude said, limping up a little bit late and looking sheepish. "Hey, Lana-bra . . . and I don't know you guys."

Re: Meet with your Project Groups

[identity profile] lovelylana.livejournal.com 2007-01-16 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Hey Jude," Lana said. "This is Angela and Neil. Guys, this is Jude."