Week 15 Reading Notes: Dante's Inferno (Part B)

1. I know that Inferno means “Hell” in Italian, and while the original was written in Italian, I would have liked the translated version to have more Italian words worked into the work. This would have kept the Italian nature of the piece and gave us insight into Dante’s culture and background.

2. It’s interesting that a lot of the characters are so familiar to me, and it is good that I don’t need the background information throughout the story, but for people who don’t know who the Minotaur is, or who Jason is, it would be nice to have some sort of contextual explanation of who they were in order to understand why Dante chooses to place them in Hell.

3. Dante seems to be a pretty judgmental person, and I don’t think that he would be happy to know that he would have been in Hell with the rest of these people, as he seems to have plenty of personality traits similar to the characters he meets.

4. Caiaphas seems like an evil dude. I probably would have put him in Hell too. However, I believe he should be in the lower levels, with Cassius and Brutus, as plotting to kill Jesus seems quite similar, if not a worse offense, to that of assassinating Caesar. But that’s just my opinion.

5. Are the giants supposed to be the Titans? I’m confused. Also, is this the first use of the word Nimrod?

6. “That sinner raised his mouth from the savage feast” is a badass sentence, despite the fact that it’s grotesque to think about.

7. The quote “Vexilla Regis produent Inferni” is pretty badass if you know what it means. It’s a good thing I had the translation right in front of me. Going back to my previous comment, however, it would have been cooler to just keep the Italian and run with it.

8. See… JUDAS BELONGS IN THE NINTH CIRCLE. Sorry, not sorry. Friends don’t lie.

9. Why does Dante call Virgil his “Master?” That’s some homoerotic bullshit.

10. It’s kind of funny how Dante and Virgil have to climb out of Hell on Satan’s body and he can’t do anything about it, which is cool to think about. Let me just walk all over Satan and see how he reacts. I guess he would not have been pretty pissed. Too bad you can’t do anything about it, Satan! 😊

Friends Don't Lie, from Stranger Things. Found on Neato Shop.

Bibliography: Dante's Divine Comedy, translated by Tony Kline (2002). Link to online reading.

Week 15 Reading Notes: Dante's Inferno (Part A)

1. I like that the story is told in the first-person point of view. This lets the readers connect to the narrator and focus on what he is feeling, so that they don’t have to get too creative on how they would react in a situation like Dante’s.

2. It’s cool we get a background of who Virgil is, since he’s going to be such an important part of the telling of the story. However, he didn’t need to announce it. Providing that background through description would have been good enough.

3. The illustrations provide a nice foundation for the imagination.

4. The way that the dialogue is written kind of brings me out of the story and messes up the flow of what is being told. What is being said is also written in a way people wouldn’t talk in real life, so it’s hard to believe it’s really.

5. I don’t really understand what “heathens” stay in limbo; I wish there was more explanation to it.

6. The fact that all these famous figures in history/literature are in Hell makes me wonder more about the reasons behind why they are there. Not only that, but while there are some people I did know, there are a lot of names that I did not recognize. Not listing so many but also explaining to the audience why they’re there, not as a whole, but as individuals. I realize this would make the story a lot longer but it would make the reader less confused.

7. My roommate LOVES the story of Paolo and Francesca; she even did a project on it. She actually helped explain to me what went on when I realized I was more confused than I thought I was going to be.

8. Cerberus is the dog of Hades, and his name actually means “spot” in Ancient Greek. Hades really named his dog Spot.

9. The fact that Medusa is in Hell makes me mad because what happened to her wasn’t her fault, but Poseidon’s. The fact that a man is the reason that she’s in Hell just grinds my many gears.

Image Information: "One does not simply..." meme. Found on Boarding Area.

Bibliography: Dante's Divine Comedy, translated by Tony Kline (2002). Link to online reading.

Week 13 Reading Notes: Celtic Fairy Tales (1) Part B

King O’Toole and his Goose
- King O’Toole is obviously very self-centered, because the narrator thinks I should have heard of him and I never have.
- I like that the narrator addresses the reader, making the story more personal. By referencing back to the reader every so often, you make sure that the reader is paying attention.
- How the story is written/told is exactly how I would imagine an Irish person speaking. I even dabbled reading some lines with an Irish accent for authenticity.
- Honestly, the plot wasn’t that good and I was focused more on practicing my accent than paying attention.

The Shee an Gannon and the Gruagach Gaire
- The explanation of words at the beginning of this section was thoughtful, because the title had a bunch of words with which had no meaning to me.
- “… put a stop to the laughing of the Gruagach Gaire, who before this, laughed always and laughed so loud that the whole world heard him.” Use the word “laugh” one more time. I don’t think there was enough.
- The subtitles that tell the readers when the settings have changed through me off a little. Just describe it???
- I thought cowboys only existed in the Old West. 

Cowboy hat with a three-leaf clover on it. Found on Celtic Cowboy.

- I know that this is too much to ask, but can’t the daughter have a say in the marriage, like just this once? 

Beth Gellert
- Llewelyn is a weird name and I don't even know how to pronounce it.
- Also, KILLING THE DOG WAS SO UNNECESSARY AND I HATED EVERY BIT OF THIS STORY.

The Tale of Ivan
- Ivan, honey, you should have definitely taken the wag and not the advice. Money is better.
- Okay, I guess in this case it was okay to get advice, because it helped him in the end, but if an old man decided to take my money that I earned working for an entire year and gave me some cliché advice instead, I would have been angry. 

Andrew Coffey
- I had a teacher in middle school with this same last name.
- I’m pretty sure that this entire story was just Andrew Coffey having a severe reaction to smoking weed, but that’s just me.

Brewery of Eggshells
- Creepy picture of kids. Fun.
- I just really wish there was more dialogue in these types of stories, because it moves the story along so much quicker.
- Also, don’t throw your children into lakes. Goblins will get them.

Bibliography: Celtic Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs with illustrations by John D. Batten (1892). Link to online reading.

Week 13 Reading Notes: Celtic Fairy Tales (1) Part A

Connla and the Fairy Maiden

- Okay, but like, Connla of the Fiery Hair? Really? We couldn’t think of a better name? The language in the story is already bad enough. I understand that it’s supposed to be Celtic and old fashioned, but honestly, gross. I also want to know what the maiden’s “strange attire looks like.
- This fairy maiden just loves Connla out of nowhere? Sounds fake, but okay.
- I’m glad that the King’s characterization allows him to admit that he has his shortcomings.
- The apple reminds me of the evil witch’s apple in Snow White, which would make a great twist in the story if the fairy maiden ended up being evil.
- I’m glad that the Druid has a name, compared to the maiden, who should also have a maiden considering that she is a main character. This might be a little sexist.
- Basically, this story is really dramatic and I didn’t like it.

The Field of Boliauns
- The picture at the beginning creeped me out.
- I’m glad that neither of the stories that I’ve read started with “Once upon a time…”
- There’s a lot more dialogue in this than in the first story, which moves it along quicker, but the dialogue is hard to follow because I cannot seem to imagine people speaking like they do in the story.
- Leprechauns are not nice. That is all.

The Horned Woman
- Okay, if a lady with a horn on her head came barging into my apartment, I would most definitely be appalled and slightly terrified. What is wrong with this woman?
- Why does no one have names in stories like this? I’m calling the police.
- “The mistress felt herself obliged…” Oh, I get it now. She’s being compelled.
- I have no idea what went on in this story, plot wise. All I know is that there was a lot of screaming.

The Sheperd of Myddvai
- A guy that gives me his food without me asking? Sign me up.
- Kinda of puzzled why all these farm animals came out of the lake. That’s not really where they belong.
- I like the maiden only because she knows when to leave a man who is “abusive to her.” Power to you, sis.
- I would have liked the ending to be different, simply because I was expecting more out of the characters in this story compared to the others.

The Sprightly Tailor
- Again, the picture at the beginning creeped me out.
- Wishing that the main character had a name, simply because it would be easier to relate back to him.
- There is more description in this story compared to the others, allowing me to have a better understanding of setting.
- The giant reacted in the same way I would if I didn’t get attention I wanted: by stamping my feet and whining.

Munachar and Manachar
- These two already remind me of Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee from Alice in Wonderland.
- No descriptions = Sad Cassidy

Gold-Tree and Silver-Tree
- SNOW WHITE.
- The names are a little iffy, but at least they have names!
- Wishing I got descriptions of what everyone looks like. Or even just descriptions. There is too much dialogue.
- “I left them there.” SUCH A GOOD ENDING, despite the fact that the prince has two wives. Greedy bastard.

Square Celtic Knot. Found on Wikipedia Commons.

Bibliography: Celtic Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs with illustrations by John D. Batten (1892). Link to online reading.

Reading Notes: Beowulf (Extra Credit)

- It was interesting to read about Beowulf from before what I usually have read, which is when Grendal attacks. The intro was a good way to lay out the story and provide the audience an understanding of the world that they are about to enter.

- I don’t like the “Once Upon a Time” though. It only works when the main character is not a tool, which Beowulf is. He thinks he’s all high and mighty. If he were a girl, well, people would think she was a bitch.

- There is a lot of descriptions about the land, which is good, because I usually have no idea where I am when it comes to folklore/fairy tales.

- Sorry, but Beowulf = Hercules. Except Beowulf doesn’t go crazy and murder his wife and children, nor does he have thousands of spawns.

- I like the illustrations, simply because they’re funny but also black and white, KIND OF LIKE THE CHARACTERIZATION IN THIS DANG STORY.

- The dialogue in this is exactly how I believed people in this time period would have spoken. Crisp and to the point.

- I wish that they would give certain characters names, especially like “The Wanderer,” since there is an entire chapter about him in this unit. Was he so unimportant to them? Does this not make sense to anyone else besides me?

- I think we should all introduce ourselves the way that they do in this story. “I am Cassidy, daughter of Michael and Jodi, Mikayla and Madison’s sister, all hail!” It would make introductions so much more interesting, plus we wouldn’t have to do the weird “getting to know your family life” thing because you would already know most of it.

- I don’t like Beowulf and I don’t think I ever will. Sorry, you guys.

Beowulf is Wyrd meme. Found on WeKnowMemes.

Bibliography: The Story of Beowulf by Strafford Riggs with illustrations by Henry Pitz (1933). Link to online reading.

Week 12 Reading Notes for Fairie Queen: Britomart Part B

1. The describe the men and women in The Enchanted Chamber better than the main character. I know exactly what each boy is where but no nothing about what Britomart looks like.

2. I like that each of these characters from above represent something, like Disloyalty, or Love. It gives the reader an understanding of who the character is despite not knowing much about the rest of the character as a whole.

3. I don’t like that the Enchanter doesn’t have a name. Give him a name!

4. Britomart spiting Sir Scudamour. I only have one word for this part of the plot: YES.

5. I like that Britomart is a female and can best all the men, but I don’t like that she has to hide her femininity. I know that it is the only way to compete in the competitions that she’s a part of, because everyone during this time was a MISOGYNIST, but it would have been a fun plot point to play with she was told, “no,” and she simply responds by doing whatever they told her not to, without having to hide her identity.

6. “Through all ages it has been the custom that the prize of Beauty has been joined with the praise of arms and Chivalry. And there are special reasons for this, for each relies much on the other: that Knight who can best defend a fair Lady from harm is surely the most fitting to serve her, and that Lady who is fairest and who will never swerve from her faith is the most fitting to deserve his service.” Alright. Sexist.

7. ALRIGHT. ARTEGALL BEING THE KNIGHHT IN THE MIRROR. THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT. THAT IS ANGST, MY FRIENDS. This creates an interesting dynamic and tension within the storyline.

8. Okay, so I’m really happy that Britomart found love because I’m a hopeless romantic. But think about this: What if her and Lady Amoret ended up together? Wouldn’t that have been an even better ending? Think about it.

Amoret and Britomart by Mary F Raphael. Found on Classic Art Paintings.

Bibliography: Stories from the Faerie Queene by Mary Macleod, with drawings by A. G. Walker (1916). Link to online reading.

Week 12 Reading Notes for Faerie Queene: Britomart

1, I was very happy to see that the stories didn’t start with “once upon a time,” since I’m a little over that, if I’m being honest.

2. I don’t like that the “Knight” doesn’t have a name, simply because it would be more dramatic if the villain, or antagonist at this point in the story, had a name besides what he is supposed to be. However, it’s interesting that the man is a knight and yet Sir Guyon and Prince Arthur are fighting him.

3. The author describes the actions of the characters well enough, especially when they are fighting, but I am having a hard time picturing the setting. More description of the land and where they are, maybe even how the people are dressed and how they look, will help readers to understand the time period as well as the people, and not only that, but it will provide a way to easily conjure up an image

4. “’I certainly will not give up my love, nor will I do service to your lady,’ replied Britomart.” This line made me LAUGH.

5. Britomart is definitely bisexual. You cannot argue with me on this so no one even try.

6. I wish there was more dialogue. It makes the stories more interesting because you’re more aware of who the characters are.

7. The third story is the first time that it references “Britain.”

8. It’s fun to read stories with characters that have been used all the time, over many different eras, in different literatures. Like Merlin, for example. He’s been used so much over the years that I don’t really know where he started out, or who he originally was written to be like.

9. DESCRIBE THE LAND OF THE FAERIE QUEEN. IT’S THE WHOLE POINT OF THE STORY AND YET WE SEE NOTHING THAT TALKS ABOUT WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE.

10. The ending to the story “How Britomart Walked Through Fire” is so good, and leaves me wanting more, and it made me want to continue reading.

Britomart. Found on PDSH Wiki.

Bibliography: Stories from the Faerie Queene by Mary Macleod, with drawings by A. G. Walker (1916). Link to online reading.

Week 11 Reading Notes B: American indian Fairy Tales

1. Happy that the first story doesn’t start the same as all the others. The beginnings get redundant and it makes me not want to read them. I also liked the break in the story where Iagoo and the children are speaking, mainly because you’re reminded that there is an outside narrator telling the story. 

2. I liked the repetition of the main character being in the second story as well as the first. It makes the readers able to connect with the protagonist in a more personal way; they are able to see their characterization and understand who they are and what makes them tick.

3. I don’t really like stories about creations. For example, “how the summer came,” or even how the world came to be. I find them boring and they don’t provide much except details that can be explained to beef up other stories. Basically, they’re not my forte.

4. Alright, so Neen-i-zu likes to “walk in the forest alone” and that freaks me out. But I do like that it talks about how she has a close relationship with the other girls in the village. A lot of the time, old stories like fairytales only focus on the romantic ties to the main character.

5. Puk-Wudjies is a house in the American school of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the Harry Potter universe. Just saying.

Pukqudgie house crest from Harry Potter. Found on Harry Potter Wiki.

6. Okay, I know this is a reach, but making the Fairy Bride into a tale about lesbians would be a great twist. Obviously, there is not very much LGBTQ representation in stories from the older times, so it would be great to switch it up and add some diversity amongst the characters in the stories that are told. Children who struggle with their sexuality would find it easier to accept who they are if they see themselves in the stories they are told as they are growing up.

Bibliography:  American Indian Fairy Tales by W.T. Larned, with illustrations by John Rae (1921). Link to online source.

Week 11 Reading Notes Part A: American Indian Fairy Tales

1. I like the idea that the stories that Iagoo was told were oral, and have now been written down for people to read. This shows an important culture aspect of folklore within the Native American community. Basically, stories within stories is a fun aspect to write, and it makes the original telling more interesting. However, I would like to make the story into first person, as it connects the reader to Iagoo and his connection with the stories that he is so well known for telling.

2. Shin-ge-bis reminds me of a typical YA love interest. You know, the boys with the flowy hair and pretty half-smiles that always seem to be laughing at the protagonist over the simplest things. Like the story says, he’s a laugher. It’s different than other protagonists that you read about in folklore, who are serious heroes that only want to save the world. They don’t want to laugh. This part of his personality is an awesome aspect in his story.

3. I know these are supposed to be fairy tales, and that Native American culture is very big on being one with the animals, but it always seems to take me out of the story when the animals start to talk, especially if they have a major part of the story that moves the plot along. This is especially if there is no other magical element amongst the plot.

4. The story of the Child of the Evening Star really describes the characters in a way that I can understand who they are. This is uncommon in folklore. I also like the fact that Oweenee can see into the hearts of men and they all seem to suck, because honestly, that’s the most realistic part of this entire story. Honestly, this is my favorite story in the collection at the moment. It almost reminds me of Beauty and the Beast, and we all know how much I love that story!

Hipster Belle meme. Found on WeKnowMemes.

Bibliography: American Indian Fairy Tales by W.T. Larned, with illustrations by John Rae (1921). Link to online reading.

Week 10: Native American Marriage Tales Reading Notes Part B

GoT marriage meme. Found on WeddingBee.

1.     I know that animals are a significant part of the Native American culture, but it’s really weird that these humans sleep with half-dog people and then have PUPPIES WHEN THEY GIVE BIRTH. Also, none of the characters in the stories I’ve read so far have had names. I’d like the characters to have names, just because it helps to connect them to the reader more, as you have a name to go with a face.

2. Cannibalism. Not a good plot point. Just really gross.

3. The language used in The Youth Who Joined the Deer is more modern, making the story easier to read. However, the dialogue isn’t exactly the way that humans would talk, at least nowadays. It’s too formal. I think that changing it into a more conversational tone would make it more relatable and not like something out of a robot-horror movie.

4. Also, although I like when the characterization of male characters in stories is not all macho, the main character in the Deer story – the hunter – was whiny and definitely should have taken his wife back by himself, instead of running to others.

5. I realize that the first place that has actually been named and given a description is in the story about the girl and the turkeys. Interesting. I would definitely like to hear more about what the settings are in each story, so that I can create an image and connect with the telling a little bit more so than I would if I had to create it all by myself.

6. So the True Bride definitely reminds me of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Except, you know, there was only four men. But also Cinderella, with the evil stepmother thing, but I guess that Snow White also has an evil stepmother as well? Oh well. I liked this story the most out of all the ones that I had to read.

Bibliography: Tales of the North American Indians by Stith Thompson (1929). Link to online source.

Week 10: Native American Marriage Tales, Reading Notes A

1. Okay, so first off, the first story starts off with rape – it doesn’t say it in so many words, but it’s eluded to the fact most certainly – which is horrible and I would definitely take that part of the story out quickly. I know that this was a different time period but it would still make me uncomfortable to write something into a story that ends “happily.” The other weird part of this story is the fact that the boy’s mother is a cow part of the time – and also that she FORGAVE THE MAN THAT RAPED HER. Basically, the thing I would change about this story is ALL OF IT.

2. The Splinter-Footed Girl reminded me some of the story of the birth of Athena, because Athena was born from Zeus’ head, much like the child was born from the man’s leg. One of the best aspects about this story is the relationship between the men and the daughter; if I were to rewrite this story, I would use that connection and make it stronger. Maybe I would have each of the fathers help her, instead of the different animals. Using another character seems to diminish the connection between the girl and her parents.

3. At least in the story about the Whale and the Eagle, the little girls get to choose their husbands for themselves, even if it didn’t end all that well. Still kind of freaked out by the bestiality. The language in this story is a little different than the others, making it harder to get into. Making the dialogue more modern would connect the reader to the story, and it would be easier to read.

4. The Fox-Woman starts off with the phrase “dutiful wife” In the first sentence. Gross. BUT this was my favorite story. I wanted it to be longer. In the end, I might put a twist. Does the woman end up alone for the rest of her life? Maybe. Or MAYBE she ends up with another woman. WHOA! PLOT TWIST!

5. A lot of these stories have nasty endings. Not that I’m not a fan, usually, but dang. Where is the happiness?

6. The Bear-Woman is definitely my second favorite story. I think that I would change the POV to the eldest sisters, and make her attack on the village something like revenge for the murder of his husband. But also, CONSTELLATIOINS!!!!!!!!!

Futrama Constellation Meme. Found on quickmeme.

 Bibliography: Tales of the North American Indians by Stith Thompson (1929). Link to online reading.

Reading Notes:Japanese Fairy Tales (Ozari) Part B

Day numero dos. Two more stories! Woohoo! 

Book meme found on BookBub Blog.

1. The Goblin of Adachigahara

That took me a little bit to write without looking, but I got it in the end. The background in the beginning of the story provides a good idea of where it is going to go, which is good, because the other stories don’t provide that sort of summary. Not only that, but it sets up the tone and setting for the story nicely. I think that writing the story from the point of view of the ogre would be interesting, and it wouldn’t provide such a happy ending as the original story does. Being able to see inside the head of a “monster” would provide readers more of an understanding of what happened on the other side of the story.

2. The Story of Princess Hase

The story starts off the same way a lot of fairy tales do. Two parents couldn’t have a child, and they pray to some deity to give them one, and magically, it happens. The tale read very similar to Cinderella, in my opinion, but I’m sure that this was written first. I liked that the stepmother tried to kill her daughter, because it provided a new conflict to a story that I have been quite familiar with. Making her a high-ranking official was awesome – GIRL POWER! I think because I am so used to the story of Cinderella, that I was truly disappointed that she didn’t end up falling in love with someone. Maybe I will make that change in a rewrite of the story, since I’m leaning more toward the Story of Princess Hase than the others that I have read in this unit. Adding more dialogue would make the character’s easier to identify with. Unlike other fairy tales, I liked the character’s personality, but I would love to play with the evilness of the step-mother, as she is particularly cruel.

Bibliography: Japanese Fairy Tales by Yei Theodora Ozaki (1908). Link to online reading.

Reading Notes: Japanese Fairy Tales (Ozari) Part A

There were three stories in this section of reading, so I broke it up into three sections! Woohoo!

1. My Lord Bag of Rice

Okay, the guy’s name is a little weird, and I wish that they focused more on his former name, because there is a common theme throughout literature that focuses on the importance of names. Maybe making it so the main character had to change his name to protect himself would be more exciting than what really happened. I chose Japanese fairytales because some of my favorite stories include dragons, and this one does as well! Woohoo! Go dragons! I liked the dialogue in this story, but I think I would have liked the piece overall a lot more if it was in first person. It makes the storyline more personal.

2. The Adventures of Kintaro, the Golden Boy

I think I would have liked it better if the start of this story was more flushed out. What did Kintaro’s father do? Why did the Court hate his mother so much that she needed to flee? I like the idea that Kintaro became one with the Wild, because I feel that is what would have happened if he truly had grown up in the woods, and giving the animals dialogue was a nice touch. Making this story third person was good, but I would have hashed out some details, such as the setting. The fact that they use Japanese within the story is a nice touch because it really connects the tale and its characters to their backgrounds. I think I would have liked the story more if they brought in the father’s conflict with the Court more often.

3. The Man Who Did Not Wish to Die

I think I would change the beginning of these stories so that they did not all start with “Long, long ago…”. It seems cliché and takes away from the start of each of the tales. I liked the description of setting here, especially with Mount Fuji and the like, because I got a good understanding of where the tale was taking place, and where the characters were moving in terms of geography. I think it would be better in first person so that readers would be able to truly get into Sentaro’s head and understand what he is feeling throughout the storyline. The entire plot took a turn that I wasn’t expecting, and it didn’t seem to have that same Japanese feel like the other two stories did. I think that this story would be better if there were more aspects of Japanese culture in it.

Japanese Dragon Ascending Mount Fuji. Found on Wikipedia.

Bibliography: Japanese Fairy Tales by Yei Theodora Ozaki (1908). Link to online reading.

Reading Notes: Filipino Tales Part B

1. The difference between the stories from this section and the previous readings is that most of these stories are creation stories, or why things are the way they are, or they're about animals. I happen to like stories that involve humans as the main characters, because they're more relateable and provide an easier story and background to understand.

2. I like the story "Why the Sun Shines More Brightly Than the Moon," even if it pits two females against one another. The story is short, though, and doesn't give the characters much depth. Buwan's sister isn't even named, and I would like to see her side of the story more than it being told from a third person point of view, where you can't really tell what's going on. The story was pretty objective, so it told you what happened and what was the result. There was no fanfare, which I prefer in my fairy tales.

3. The story explaining why the cow has loose skin freaked me out. That's it.

4. The story about the fingers was interested because you're quite unlikely to find a story where fingers are named and talk amongst one another unless they are part of a children's tale. The idea that the thumb is a thief is interesting to think about, and this story is probably one of the more interesting ones that I've read while I've been in this class.

5. All in all, I think a lot of these stories would be better if someone gave the character's more depth, and allows the readers to be able to relate and understand what they are reading. Most of the stories don't have a lot of detail either - they need setting descriptions, character descriptions, and the like. Adding more detail, as long as it's not too much, helps readers to connect with the story and it allows them to understand where the characters are coming from and what is going on.

Now that this is done, it's time for me to sleep for 4324320 hours!

Yoda sleep meme. Found on Awesome Inventions.

Bibliography: Filipino Popular Tales by Dean S. Fansler (1921). Link to online reading.

Reading Notes: Filipino Tales Part A

1. One of the most surprising moments in the story of the Three Friends was that the monkey was clever enough, but also evil enough, to through the Bungisngis into the pit. His friends, however, were not so clever. It's cool to see the parallel between the three animals, especially because monkeys are so similar to humans in both anatomy and in the way that they think. Is the story playing on the idea that monkeys are wiser than other animals?

2. There seems to be a pattern with the number three (three animals, three brothers, three sons, etc.). I wonder if the stories would change any if the number was changed to two, or increased to a higher number, like five. For example, if there was two brothers, instead of three like in the second story, or five or more animals in the first tale. If the number of animals in the latter increases, then it would provide more foundation for the fact the tale is trying to explain the wisdom contrasted between animals.

3. The characterization in the story, The Clever Husband and Wife, is interesting, because when I read it, I hated the two protagonists. They were con artists and cheats and exploited the friendship between themselves and the doctor/mistress. However bad they were, though, I liked that they were unapologetic and had decent flaws. It's not all the time that you see a main character with a trait that doesn't redeem itself at the end of the story.

4. I would like to change the end of the story, The Devil and the Guachinango, by changing the ending. Instead of having the princess be saved, I would have her die and force the Guoachinango to have to go to Hell. Maybe that's just me being morbid, though.

5. I find it amusing one of the protagonist's name in these stories is Don Juan.

6. The stories that involved religion also involved the monarchy; that is, the stories that had either the Devil or God in them also had princesses and kings involved as well. It parallels the idea that the monarchy is appointed because of Divine Right.

7. The story of the monkey-prince was my favorite, mainly because I love the trope. I'm glad that it didn't take the route of the woman falling in love with an animal (*cough* Beauty and the Beast *cough*). I also liked that the girl was poor and not a princess.

8. I like the concept of the Wicked Woman but I don't like that they pit two women against one another. I wish that it wasn't because of a man that the two grew jealous.

Buddy the Elf reading meme. Found on Memes Happen.

 Bibliography: Filipino Popular Tales by Dean S. Fansler (1921). Link to online reading.

Reading Notes: Ancient Egyptian Myths and Stories Part B

One of my biggest problems about the story of the Two Brothers was that both of the women in the tales were manipulative and evil; all of the men seemed to be victims of their treachery, like the brothers, or heroes against the actions of said women, like Ra. While the magic in the story is interesting, it's kinda of put to the wayside by the conflicts of the tale. It would be more interesting to see how the magic is interwoven into the plot, rather than just a overlooked plot point. For example, the appearance of crocodiles in between the brothers fighting might be more interesting if the crocodiles did something, like attack, to make the brothers interact and work together to save themselves and solve their differences. I liked the theme of brotherly/familial love. It was interesting to see to see the relationship grow and change with the circumstances that they were put under. 

One of the things I like is the descriptions of who the characters are at the beginning of the story. In the Book of Thoth, the main character is explained by his relationships to other people. However, this doesn't give me a physical description of the characters, which makes it hard to visual who each person is. Sometimes, people's physicality depicts who they are as a person. In this story, women are provided a necessary and important role to play, and they seem to be much more respectable than the two females in the previous story. However, I do think that it would be more interesting to give the role of the main character to a woman; in this time, it would be uncommon and certainly make some people mad.

Thoth meme. Found on Reddit.

The interesting story about the king was that it provided more gruesome details than those of the other stories. I like that the author didn't hold back. The only part I didn't like about the story is that the king's daughter's hand in marriage was given as a present for the hero's victory. 

Bibliography: Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie, link to online reading.

Reading Notes: Ancient Egyptian Myths and Stories Part A

Keep Calm and Invoke the Power of Ra by Zach on The Keep Calm-O-Matic

It's always interesting to see the similarities and differences between the ancient and current mythologies. I chose this topic for this week because my roommates are interested in the subject and told me that I would enjoy reading about it.

The stories are written in third person, but the way they are written is weird. I will definitely change it. Keeping the third person will allow the readers to understand who is telling the story versus all the other characters that happen to cross into the plot's path, but I will write it in a way that will get into the main characters mind and not be so vague about details and emotions that occur within the story.

The problem I have with ancient mythologies is how weird some of the moments in the stories are. For example, in the Secret Name of Ra, Isis uses his saliva and bakes it. That's odd, right? I think taking out parts of the story similar to this will help the readers from being taken out of the story because of the oddity of certain moments. It will make the story more fluid and easier to follow.

Of course, language is always a big thing when it comes to ancient mythology and their stories. The old English makes it harder for me to delve into the story. Making it more modern would not only make it relateable but also easier to understand.

It's cool to see parallels in these stories that compare to those from Christian mythology. For example, in the story of Hagar and Ra, there is a flood much like the one in the Book of Genesis in the Christian bible. It is also interesting to see the differences too. In the story of Osiris, the author talks about Isis and tells how she loved the humans that her fellow gods had created. This contrasts to Hera in Greek Mythology, who hated humans and was jealous of Zeus' ties to them. Not only this, but Osiris leaves the Egyptian holy lands and goes to help rule other lands, and he leaves Iris to rule in his place until his return. This would have never happened in the Greek mythologies.

The story of the Wax Crocodile seemed to be too quickly resolved, and I didn't like that the wife was punished so cruelly. While I know that this was usually a woman's role in ancient mythologies, if I chose to rewrite this story, it will definitely feature a bigger role from the wife in it. This was much like my sentiment towards the Green Jewel. The story made the woman look materialistic, and I almost wonder if there is something more to play with her personality.Not only that, but I would love to maybe combine the stories of the Wax Crocodile and the Green Jewel, if I can think of a way to do so..

Bibliography: Egyptian Myth and Legend by Donald Mackenzie, link to online reading.

Reading Notes: Aesop's Fables, Part A

Mr. Darcy meme by quickmeme

One of my favorite things about Aesop's fables is that the main characters of each story are true to themselves throughout the entirety of the text. For example, during the Wolves tales, he is constantly the villain. The wolf does not seem to be guilty about this, because that is who he is, and who he always would be. The story ends with the idea that he was always true to himself. I like characters who are morally ambiguous, and, not only that, I love characters who do not have a positive character development. It is not realistic, and gives readers a different perspective of literary characters.

Another thing I liked about the stories is the messages at the end of each tale. The stories are meant to teach the readers a lesson with each one, and I think making it obvious at the end of the tale helps the reader to look back at the text and see where in the story they might have overlooked each tale, if they did so. Like in many of the stories, the advice comes from the main protagonist (or antagonist) of each tale. It packs a punch when the most important character in the story tells you the reason why the story was written.

The stories were simple, which was probably because of the writing at the time that these tales were written, but I would like to make each of the characters in my stories more in depth, because that's who I am as a writer. I like good descriptions that let the readers know where they are, setting wise, or who the characters are, both in personality and the way that they look. When I continue reading, I hope to look closer at the texts to try and see if I can find ways in which I would like to change more of the writing, or if I would like to copy something in the way that the tale is told.

Bibliography: Aesop's Fables by Joseph Jacobs, link to reading online.