Reading Notes: English Fairy Tales, Part A
The Rose-Tree
This story was more morbid than I was expecting, as both the little girl and her (although evil) step-mother die. I really liked the close bond between the brother and sister, as they shared a father but had different mothers. Family is very important to me, so it was interesting and intriguing to see the importance of family/familial friendships reflected in the fairy tale.
After the little girl's death, her brother buries her under a rose-tree. Then in the spring, after her brother's tears have watered the tree, she reemerges as a beautiful white bird. I think this metamorphosis is really compelling, because of all the symbolism involved in her human and bird form. Firstly, when she is a little girl, she has lips like cherries and her skin is white as milk. This resonates the idea of fairytales like Snow White/Sleeping Beauty with the innocent/virtuous maiden. She has long hair that also emphasizes purity and beauty. Then, as a bird, she is a white bird that sings "like an angel out of heaven." This theme continues through both bodies, and I feel like its important to the metamorphosis (so she can gain revenge, suggesting only the pure get second chances) and her character.
After the stepmother kills her, she puts the girl's heart and liver and cooks it. Then, she feds it to her husband but the son refuse to eat it. This indicates that he most likely knows the origin of the "strange-tasting meat," as his father calls it, and he is the one to bury her body. There are other important symbols in this story. When the girl gives gifts, she gives a chain and red shoes. I think these could also have hidden meanings, though at the moment I'm still unsure.
Rare White Hummingbird from Audubon
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