The Juniper Tree

Dec 16, 2014

Do Now

•Why are stepmothers often so evil in stories?

Sam BakerAuthor of Stepmother’s Support Group

• "Stepmothers get what can only be called a "bum rap" in literature. From Snow White and Cinderella to Tolstoy to Judy Blume, whenever fiction needs a character to pin it on a stepmother comes in handy. Euripedes didn't help our cause when he wrote, "Better a serpent than a stepmother".

Celebrate!

•Stepmother's Day is celebrated the Sunday after Mother's Day.

Read The Juniper Tree The Brothers Grimm

Story appeared in the 1812 edition

Friday

•On Friday we will have a quiz on the Grimm’s tales. It will be short response questions. Make sure you pay attention to the group discussions this week, as it may end up on the quiz!

If you were here, you are fine, if you were not, make sure you get a copy of the stories we read.

Fun Fact

• Some of Grimm’s tales were scoured to suit readers who liked fancy writing but were offended by references to human sexuality – and it was generally assumed that all children fell into this category. In fact, the concerns of the bourgeois parents of 1812 were not unlike present-day worries about children and the internet.

• As Jacob Grimm pointed out, children would have been insulated from stories with adult content only if they didn’t live in the same house as adults. Then as now, alas, the generations tend to live at close quarters, especially if they are poor.

Share Out

• 1. What could be a deeper meaning(s) behind the boy returning to life in The Juniper Tree?

• 2. While the stepmother is evil, the half sister is not. Why do you think that is?

Answer Questions

• Please get into the following groups. (Take chart paper)

1. Ian, Navotta, Zabini, Skylar

2. Alana W., Luigi, Eric, Giovanna

3. Luz, Allyson, Thomas, Daniel, Elijah C.

4. Ana Maria, Bardo, Fernando, Julio

5. Jeremy, Nancy, Samira, Alana Lyons

6. Jean Pierre, Darin, Brenda, Sam B.

• We will report out.

The Juniper Tree

• ON CHART PAPER! - 7 min.

• 1. Pick three objects, colors, and/or numbers that may be symbolic within the story, and explain what they represent. Remember, they could represent multiple things.

• 2. What are two plot elements / symbols in the story that you would bring out more clearly if you were to direct a film version of The Juniper Tree? Explain in detail. (Decide if you want this to be more for an adult or child audience)

Similarities Between The Grimm’s Tale

• Chart it out

The Juniper Tree

Combine The Juniper Tree with either Pee-Wit; The Mouse, The Bird, and The Sausage; The Three Snake Leaves; The Moon; or Cinderella (or another Disney tale you know)

See how these tales intertwine. Create a dramatic plot summary that you can tell the class. Present it as the Great New Grimm’s Tale Unearthed Last Week…Coming to a Theatre Near You.

Thurs.

• The Red Shoes or The Happy Prince

• Are these tales for children?

• Struwwelpeter