2. Tom Davenport
TOM DAVENPORT (FOLKSTREAMS PROJECT DIRECTOR) is an
independent filmmaker and film distributor living in
Delaplane, Virginia. He was graduated from Yale University.
He began work in film with documentary filmmakers Richard
Leacock and Don Pennebacker in New York and made his first
independent film in 1969 on the Chinese martial art of T'ai
Chi. In 1970 he returned home to rural Virginia and started an
independent film company (www.davenportfilms.com) with
his wife, co-producer and designer, Mimi Davenport. They are
best known for a series of live action American adaptations of
traditional folktales in series called "From the Brothers
Grimm". The last film in that series Willa: An American Snow
White is their first feature length film and the winner of the
Andrew Carnegie Award from the American Library Association
for "Best Children's Film of 1998.”
3. Tom Davenport
develops the creative potential for young viewers
empowers people feeling manipulated by the media
has American settings from the 17th century to present day
shows patience, cunning and courage overcome poverty,
prejudice and hardship during wars, famine and depression
has characters survive with pride and a sense of won dignity
gives viewers a sense of hope in the face of poverty,
degradation and violence
Shows hope for a better future
brings in a sense of history and oppression
has American tales about conflict with a matrilineal heritage
have historical authenticity
shows young women can assert themselves
4. Willa, An American Snow White
Set in about 1920, we have innocent
young Willa at the hands of her
stepmother, a once-famous stage
actress. But the stepmother grows
jealous of Willa's beauty and
talent, and as she descends into
insanity, demands Willa's death.
Willa escapes and instead of
joining up with a group of
dwarves, meets a traveling
medicine show, and later meets
Prince Charming in the form of a
would-be filmmaker. But the
stepmother begins to suspect....
The film has its limitations; any
low-budget independent project
will. But the settings (filmed in
rural Virginia) are lovely, and the
cast (made up largely of
Shakespearean performers from
Washington DC) does a
magnificent job.
5. Watch this short clip from the
story:http://www.fromthebrothersgrimm.com/movie.php?movieid=11
6. Bruno Bettleheim in The Uses of Enchantment
Children can learn about solutions to their own predicaments
and predicaments in society.
Fairytales carry important messages to the unconscious.
Children become familiar with the struggles going on in their
own unconscious minds (sibling rivalries, oedipal dilemmas,
separation anxiety)
Children learn to confront dilemmas instead of shying away
from them.
They identify with success (victorious heroes).
The tales build character (even the lowliest can succeed)
They reinforce the fears that the parents reject or overlook,
believing that will alleviate the dilemmas.
7. More Bettleheim
Children can benefit from reading about small vulnerable children
who suffer from adults’ tyranny and survive.
Savage monsters and brutal punishments appeal to children who
feel helpless and small. They can become the powerful
monsters/witches themselves. They can administer the
punishments in their minds themselves.
Folktales create scenarios in which the heroes and heroines are
drawn to what is forbidden to them (lust, greed, riches,
gluttony) similar to the way in which children are drawn to the
forbidden.
The death of a parent is one of the most agonizing fears of small
children. Folktales help children to imagine a situation in which
they can survive such a loss.
The abused child in the folktale may represent the child who feels
neglected and misunderstood by parents and sibling in real life.
The ultimate success of the child represents the conviction of
the child that he can become a recognized hero who deserves a
better fate.
8. Vladimir Propp’s Common Folktale elements
One family member leaves home. (death or departure of younger or
older people)
The hero or heroine is forbidden to do some action and the hero or
heroine violates a forbidden order.
The victim submits to deception and unwittingly helps the enemy. A
preliminary misfortune is caused by a deceitful agreement.
The villain causes harm or injury to a member of the family. Can be
a threat.
One family member either lacks something or desires to have
something (lack of wealth or means of existence common)
The hero or heroine leaves home.
9. The hero or heroine acquires a magical agent. (Acquisition of a helper
or a gift.)
The hero or heroine is transferred, delivered, or led to the whereabouts
of an object or a designated place.
The villain is defeated.
The hero or heroine returns.
A false hero or heroine presents unfounded claims.
A difficult task is proposed to the hero or heroine.
The hero or heroine is recognized and the false hero/ heroine is
exposed.
The hero or heroine is given a new appearance.
The villain is punished. (The villain can also be pardoned.)
The hero or heroine is married and ascends to the throne.
10. Themes/Motifs (What other stories do these themes
show up in?)
Hero/Heroine is the youngest of three
There is a stepmother
Father is absent or weak
Monster bridegrooms
11. Historical Implications: What elements show
something about life in peasant times?
Death of mother: Women frequently dies in childbirth
Stepmother: Men had to quickly find someone to take
care of mother
Starvation: Plagues and droughts
12. What appeals to adults (Importance of adult themes
in the story
Change in status; the importance of status
The importance of the legal bond
The lack of intelligence of the upper classes
13. Psychological Implications; fears children have
How the tales can give a positive message
Cannibalism: being eaten by monsters
Fear of abandonment: being left alone through design or
death
Fear of the dark
Overcoming a difficult situation through cunning and
tenacity
14. Homework
Read:
Realism and Children’s Literature 424 -427
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland 63 – 76
Pippi Longstocking 170 – 172
The Wonderful World of Oz 448-453
Charlotte’s Web 468 – 472
A Wrinkle in Time 478-495
The Little Mermaid 892-902
