I chose to discuss the poem Fairy Tale Logic by A.E. Stallings. This poem got my attention with its name. I’ve always have loved fairy tales and have wanted a fairy tale life, like most girls. I had to read this poem a few times before I actually understood it and got the meanings. While I was reading it I felt some type of a disappointment. The end surprised me when she said “The will to do whatever must be done: Marry a monster. Hand over your firstborn son.”(Stallings, lines 13,14) That particular line definitely threw me off made me think about it a lot. Most fairy tales end so perfect and beautiful. But when you come across a fairy tale that doesn’t end like all the others it makes you think. Well is it a fairy tale? The answer would be yes, just because the princess doesn’t get picked up and saved by the prince the story still has monsters and things that not most “typical” stories. Throughout the poem you are reading it finding yourself nodding your head, yes, yes. When you read it the second time you start to realize what she could be going for. Fairy tales aren’t so peachy keen after all. There’s always a distressed woman and there’s always some type of obstacle that either the prince has to overcome or both, prince and princess have to take it on. In the poem fifth line down A.E. writes, “Tiptoe up to a dragon where it basks And snatch it’s bone;”(Stallings, lines 5,6) When I read that I immediately thought of the movie “Shreck” got all smiley and then continued to read. The poem really has a good meaning. She’s not technically talking down on fairy tales mainly, she’s just making an observation of how not all fairy tales are so wonderful and easy going.
There doesn’t seem to be any particular addressee. It does seem to be A.E. as the speaker. The main thing that gives it away is that this poem seems to be more of a personal observation/thoughts. The tone of the poem seems to be slight frustration. What makes me think that is where she opens the poem with “Fairy tales are full of impossible tasks.”
Works Cited:
Stallings, A.E. “Fairy-tale Logic”. Poetry. March 2010, Web. Sept 7 2011.
Image from: Here
I also wrote about this poem and it struck similar notes with me. I know you brought up how fairy tales are usually happy ending stories, but I think that's a very Disney thing that has influenced our culture. We still know that some don't have those happy endings, and I like that the author chooses to take note of that.
ReplyDeleteDear Madeline,
ReplyDeleteFirst off I really enjoyed reading your post about the poem. I thought the poem was going to be "Too Happy" so I choose not to read that one but after reading your response it sounds interesting compared to what I was expecting, but shame on me for expecting. I always tend to judge an actual book by the cover, but I feel the cover should do justice to the material on the inside. I really enjoyed how you questioned what a "Fairy Tale" is and what is consists off. Usually when I watch or read a fairy tale it involves love, romance, sadness, loss, and lessons. This take has all of that going on but in a deeper manner. I would not ask a young child to read this story but a child would understand the exchange of events happening. When I watch any Disney Channel movie I always end up crying and feeling like I had an epiphany. Not only do fairy tales have good things, but sometimes they have bad emotions to prove how powerful the good things can be. Great job girl.
I thought you did very well with your analysis. I liked how you asked that if a fairy tale doesn't end up in happy note is it still a fairy tale? I agree with you. When I first read this poem I didn't get it all...but your analysis helped! thanks! :)
ReplyDelete