Blog Partner Discussion 6: Biography
http://jamaicablogpartners.blogspot.com/
Your personal response to the book
What genre you think it might be and why
( Read Check out descriptions of genres at:
http://www.edu.uleth.ca/currlab/handouts/genres.html
Evaluate its literary quality
Evaluate its illustrations
Evaluate in terms of multicultural considerations including the credibility of the author and illustrator
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The 'Elves and the Shoemaker'is a timeless traditional tale of how kindness bestowed on someone can alter their life positively.This Grimm's tale is a record of an oral tale that has been passed on from one cultural group to another across nations.1998 was this editions copyright date by the illustrator, Margaret Walty and what a wonderful job she has done?
ReplyDeleteDo you remember reading this story as a child Linda? I used to be spellbound by the simple beauty of how someone can be snatched from the edge of poverty in a magical way.Although the story is fictional, the basic trait of goodness in human is represented in the elves who helped the poor shoemaker and his wife secretly,and the later show of gratitude by the shoemaker and his wife.
Another aspect of the story that I found quite engaging Linda was the artistic use of colour. The use of gold accents, whether subtle or prominent is an evidence of the illustrator's craftmanship in jewellery making. It has not escaped me that metal designs are exqiusitely woven into the decorations of the shoes with buckles, the bird cage (a traditional symbol of the illustrator's homeland, Switzerland.
Looking at the scenes depicted in the setting, I also find that they represent the culture in which this tale is told. The introdution of the tale is set with the mountainous backdrop of a Swiss landscape.This is also developed in the dress of the people and the main characters.
I believe that one of the enduring quality of this publication of this fictional fantasy is the illustrator's artistry which is vibrantly appealing to both children and adult. I also like the use of the shoemaker's wife apron as a bubble for the text. It drew me to look at the characters.
I find that I could talk about the illustrations at length but there are other qualities to the story that need discussing. What aspect pulled you in Linda?
Beautiful and insightful as usual, Mary, and I agree with you totally.When I perused the tapestry I was so impressed. As usual for me I was held spell bound by the literary quality of the text. It was not an overcrowded story, instead it was simply told and was rich in quality and timbre for me. The imagery was so deep that I was pulled into the easy going and smooth pace of the story. I was moved by the barrage of emotions that were depicted - the forlorn-ness in relation to the impending poverty, the admiration for the couple for their humility yet their pride, loving relationship inspite of their circumstance, the good attitude exemplified by them both. The setting was fictionally real portraying life as going on no matter what your problems. Mary, did you see the patchwork on the clothes of the couple before they regained prosperity - this showed their poverty without having to convey it in words. I liked that.
ReplyDeleteMary, these traditional tales transcend time and culture and are simply classical.Where other thematic element might come into play I was thinking that the aspect relating to the elves show that good and positive human qualities tend to evoke help from others. After the couple repayed the kindness of the elves, they never returned teaching the lesson that one good turn deserves another. I was enthralled as I read. What else captivated you, Mary?
Linda ,the story also extends through the illustrations from its introduction to to the end.The aside stories emerge as you see the shoemaker and his wife as part of the major plot. There is a sneak preview into other activities- there are persons on a boat depicting a life of leisure, people huddlled in conversations, a community scene where children are playing, a fiddler is playing and you become drawn into the vitality and beauty of life.
ReplyDeleteThis would make an excellent story writing activity lesson for my students. They could create dialogues for the aside pictures and tell secondary fantasies. They could also do comparing an contrasting of the socio economic status of the different groups of people in the pictures. Amazing isn't it how much we can do with a text. Share further insights.
I continue to like your ideas, Mary. As you mentioned the extension of the story through the illustrations, did you take note of the cat who is present in almost all the pictures but is never mentioned? Beautiful for an aside/secondary fantasy tale. Further to this, the back and front cover along with every page makes this text a great picture reading class acitvity.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite lesson is vocabulary building so I am always looking for ways to increase students written and speaking vocabulary. This book is no exception - it has good ways to do so. There are words like scurried, capered etc that can be used. Then for writing, the themes are so profound that students could create their own compositions based on these, whether poetry, story, tales or simply make a journal response.
This traditional tale is one of my favourites.I liked the characters - they are lovable; the setting - we saw,as you said, what was happening around them; the plot - a magical story line that anyone can fall in love with; and the thematic concerns (as we mentioned before).The Elves and the Shoe Maker is a simple, beautiful and magical story.Mary???????
The cat Linda is the all knowing eyes in the story. Although there is no text which observes it's presence, I believe it is the illustrator's way of playing on the secrecy which underies the story. Notice how the elves were only discovered when the shoemaker decided to watch out for them. The cat is discreetly positioned in corners, behind the wife's apron,behind a wall and only on the work-bench once when the first pair of shoes was discovered. Now there begs a story to be told about this cat. Students could infer why it is always present in the setting.We have many stories to tell Linda.
ReplyDeleteYes, Mary,and finally, I want to comment on the the character of the wife. She is what you would clkassify as a sweet soul. Her caring, supportive and prudent disposition can be seen in her actions on how she spent the last dollar at that time, how she thought of making full suits for the elves in gratitude. This traditional tale is beautiful indeed and rich in colourful graphics and texts. Like you I would love to hear the tale of the cat. Maybe you or I could write this modern fantasy someday. Maybe........
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