Well, fancy that! It looks like the Rhodopis story in my treasured collection of tales isn't ancient at all! I'm currenty reading a book on the classical origins of fairy tales and have just finished the chapter on Cinderella, including the Strabo fragment, and yes, it's just an element that overlaps with the story as we know it. One could get quite philosophical about when a version is a version. How different can a tale be to the one we're familiar with and still be considered a different version?
Your book looks gorgeous! Erin-Claire Barrow's art is a wonderful addition, I'm sure -- I've come across her work before.
As Mair argues, it's the first full telling of the tale. Yet, the Greek origin theory has merit. I like Beauchamp's approach with the influences from Hinduism. It's a fascinating puzzle that will never have a solution. Fun to speculate though. 😜
I love speculating! But most of all, following the different permutations of a classic fairy tale, back in time, sideways and forward in terms of retellings and reimaginings.
I remember learning the Chinese version (or versions) also had a possible connection to foot binding practises - I'd have to dig out those books though.
My research found that shoe binding happened after it was written down and the story certainly evolved long before the practice. Happy for new information though. 😊
However having said all that, my theory is shoes were unusual for people of the time, particularly in the area, so that seems more likely the origin of the shoe motif to me than a foot fetish of the leading class! #lovetthisconversationthanks
Interesting! I think it was more of a theory and potential connection/symbolisation when I learnt it - I know SurLaLune was my go to website to find equivalent stories from other cultures. I wish I could remember which course it was in as that would make finding the books I used easier!
The article I reference from Beauchamp puts forward a compelling Asian origins argument. So, certainly feet binding, particularly for dancing a la ballet on pointe for the pleasure of elites is a possibility. I'm sure someone has done extensive work on this. Sur La Lune is an excellent resource too, I agree.
All entirely possible! I may also be conflating ideas from women's history and my fairy tale unit because there was crossover at times. The foot binding/Cinderella thing may have been a discussion about what it reminded us of. So many possibilities for where it all came from.
I found some academic papers and like all academic papers there is room for healthy discussion and debate. But the one line that captured it for me was "first full" Cinderella-type by Mair. In the Greek and Egyptian myths, the shoe event is mentioned in passing and not a full tale. I also think that a lost shoe doesn't necessarily constitute a Cinderella tale. In the book I outline the three English translations (one is later and influenced by Perrault), but the essence of the story seems Asian. Stories travelled but at some point we fixed them.
Alyssa- how intriguing! Such an interesting piece. I particularly love the exploration to Egypt, which is always a personal favorite of mine. Now I'd have an interesting anecdote to share with the kids whenever Cinderella's story come up. How did you discover this? :)
Well, fancy that! It looks like the Rhodopis story in my treasured collection of tales isn't ancient at all! I'm currenty reading a book on the classical origins of fairy tales and have just finished the chapter on Cinderella, including the Strabo fragment, and yes, it's just an element that overlaps with the story as we know it. One could get quite philosophical about when a version is a version. How different can a tale be to the one we're familiar with and still be considered a different version?
Your book looks gorgeous! Erin-Claire Barrow's art is a wonderful addition, I'm sure -- I've come across her work before.
As Mair argues, it's the first full telling of the tale. Yet, the Greek origin theory has merit. I like Beauchamp's approach with the influences from Hinduism. It's a fascinating puzzle that will never have a solution. Fun to speculate though. 😜
I love speculating! But most of all, following the different permutations of a classic fairy tale, back in time, sideways and forward in terms of retellings and reimaginings.
I remember learning the Chinese version (or versions) also had a possible connection to foot binding practises - I'd have to dig out those books though.
My research found that shoe binding happened after it was written down and the story certainly evolved long before the practice. Happy for new information though. 😊
However having said all that, my theory is shoes were unusual for people of the time, particularly in the area, so that seems more likely the origin of the shoe motif to me than a foot fetish of the leading class! #lovetthisconversationthanks
Interesting! I think it was more of a theory and potential connection/symbolisation when I learnt it - I know SurLaLune was my go to website to find equivalent stories from other cultures. I wish I could remember which course it was in as that would make finding the books I used easier!
The article I reference from Beauchamp puts forward a compelling Asian origins argument. So, certainly feet binding, particularly for dancing a la ballet on pointe for the pleasure of elites is a possibility. I'm sure someone has done extensive work on this. Sur La Lune is an excellent resource too, I agree.
All entirely possible! I may also be conflating ideas from women's history and my fairy tale unit because there was crossover at times. The foot binding/Cinderella thing may have been a discussion about what it reminded us of. So many possibilities for where it all came from.
I found some academic papers and like all academic papers there is room for healthy discussion and debate. But the one line that captured it for me was "first full" Cinderella-type by Mair. In the Greek and Egyptian myths, the shoe event is mentioned in passing and not a full tale. I also think that a lost shoe doesn't necessarily constitute a Cinderella tale. In the book I outline the three English translations (one is later and influenced by Perrault), but the essence of the story seems Asian. Stories travelled but at some point we fixed them.
Alyssa- how intriguing! Such an interesting piece. I particularly love the exploration to Egypt, which is always a personal favorite of mine. Now I'd have an interesting anecdote to share with the kids whenever Cinderella's story come up. How did you discover this? :)