The idea of lessons and morals in fairy tales is a very popular one - I have lost count of the number of people who’ve told me that the definition of a fairy tale is a story with magic and a moral (it’s not) - and it definitely deserves a longer blog post than I’m planning to give it here. I’m sure I’ll come back to it again. Today I’m not really thinking about morals, per se, as in ‘you should not steal’ or ‘you should always be kind’, but more about the rewards attached to them, the ‘if you are are kind in the face of unkindness you will end up with a fancy dress and a prince’ kind of messages.
How prominent do you like the underlying themes and messages of your fairy tales? When I’m reading, I like some space to interpret the message myself (although I don’t want it buried too deeply!). But when I’m writing I get anxious - is it too obscure? Will someone miss the point? Or is it too obvious? Have I left no room for this story to mean different things to different people depending on their life and experiences? Today I had to stop myself adding a line into my current fairy tale about good sisters and bad sisters (they’re still called Elena and Greta - help me out here, I beg you) explaining exactly what I meant by the story.
I want to use this story to play with the idea that hard work will earn you the reward of not having to work hard any more. Some traditional fairy tales spell this out beautifully - the girl who spins is visited on her wedding day by three ‘aunts’ who convince her husband never to make her spin again - but for most it’s an underlying assumption. Cinderella will never have to work a day in her life once she’s married the Prince.
But how do these girls get to the point of being rewarded by marriage? Through displaying typical ‘feminine’ virtues of hard (domestic) work, obedience and kindness. And in the real world, if someone wants you because they value these qualities in you, they don’t suddenly change what they value because you’ve demonstrated an ability to fulfil it once. Perhaps the usual reward for being a good, obliging, hardworking girl is to be a good, obliging, hardworking girl all your life.
Additionally, people don’t only behave virtuously because they’ll be valued for it. Perhaps it’s something they themselves appreciate - are they going to give up a behaviour they value just because they’ve already been rewarded for it?
I’m almost finished a draft of this fairy tale and am very much looking forward to hearing thoughts from some of my lovely test readers, who I appreciate immensely!
In the meantime, I went looking for old artwork of sisters and came across this one from 2016.
cafe review - lSR7
Today it’s surprisingly grey outside, given it was sunny and beautiful when I arrived at the cafe. However, I have the best view, looking down on the street from the second story of Lonsdale St Roasters 7 and watching all the passers by; or rather, watching their different coloured umbrellas.
Atmosphere: I have to admit, I already knew I loved it here before coming. It is high up (always a personal favourite) and there are big tables where it’s easy to spread out my notes, books, pens and tech. The rain outside when I’m right next to the window only makes it better for writing. The staff are friendly and the music is upbeat but not overpowering, easily fading into the background while I’m writing.
Coffee: (no food today) is wonderful, which is standard for this string of cafes!
Would I come back? Absolutely, a lovely place to write. 4.5/5