Fairytale Friday: Jack and the Beanstalk

It's friday, and the first Friday of the month, making it my favorite day of the the month! I get to intriduce a new fairytale theme, attend my favorite MOPS group, and the weekend is in clear view!

This month is Jack and the Beanstalk. I choose this tale because, while I look out my window, I see the earth is covered in snow, but the reminder that it is now March tells me that soon plants will be growing again! Granted, I have no magic beans myself, and winters seems to last until May here, but I can keep dreaming about the sun's return!

Summary

The basics of the story is a boy named Jack takes his cow to market to sell by request of his mother, who is too poor to provide needs. Jack meets a salesman that convinces him to trade the cow for magic beans. Disghusted with Jack's trade, his mother throws the beans out of th window which grows into a larger that life beanstalk reaching the clouds.

As boys are, Jack sees this as a challange and climbs to the top of the stalk. There above the clouds is a giant's domain. He visits the place three times, each time stealing one of the giants possesions. First, the giants gold, second the gold egg-laying goose, and third an enchanted harp.

Enraged the Giant follows Jack down the beanstalk, only to be defeated when Jack reaches the end first and chops it down. Jack and his mother live happily ever after in riches with the new artifacts of the giant's home.

My Thoughts

I really dislike the message this fairytale brings. Jack is a thief, and his mother comes off as a lazy unsupportive mother. The Giant is the victim.  For all we know, the giant is just a retired wealthy man who hates to be disturbed by these Englishmen.

Despite the message, it's still one of my favorites. I have to laugh at that. I am not sure what makes it endearing, but golden eggs, and a magic harp seem worth the wrong.

Versions

There are many versions of the beanstalk tale, but my favorite is the 1967 musical starring Gene Kelly.  But I'm biased, because Gene Kelly is one of the best nostalgic musical stars. I so was meant for that era!

Disney also has a version; part of the Fun and Fancy Free animated film. I'm not as impressed with it (Shame on me for being a huge Disney fan!), for some reason I just doesn't hold my interest. Then again, no Mickey Mouse Cartoon ever did.

So I've got a lot in store for this month, but it's going to be extremely busy! Bear with me if I'm not completely on top of everything! :0)

Why it's the greatest love story. EVER.

Everyone has a favorite. There's no doubt about that. I know why people would argue about why Beauty and The Beast is my favorite story....and why Disney is my favorite version. It came out during my childhood. It was nominated for best picture; it's every one's favorite. I am very much like the character Belle (in interests, not looks). But really; it's not any of that.
I was not planning to have a Beauty and the Beast Themed Wedding, until I saw these invitations. It was probably my biggest splurge aside from the food. Aren't they just beautiful?

The inside of the invitation reads : Love has the power to transform us. Boy, does it ever. Maybe not in the way the beast transformed, but I think there is a greater transformation that happens with true love: You want to be a better person. At least, I do. I feel so unworthy of the love I've been given that each day I strive better to be more deserving of the love I've already received.

In commentary of the 2nd edition of Disney Beauty and The Beast It's explained that the writers of the story struggled for a while of deciding who the story belongs to: Belle, or the The Beast? When based off the old tale, It's clear to see the hero (or heroine as it may be) is Belle. She learns the true beauty is on the inside. Only when Beast is on his death bed that she realizes it.

As the story developed for the animators and writers at Disney, they introduced new characters (such as Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth), new scenarios (such as Gaston, and Belle's love of books), and twists (such as the enchantress an the rose). With all the changes the viewer's attachment shifted from Belle to the Beast. He learns to love, firstly, but also learns how to treat others with respect (as Belle demands this), and change his behaviors. But what I'm most attached to is something some people fail to realize about Beast.

I didn't realize until a visit to Disneyland where I finally met Belle (in her yellow gown) for the first time.  (You know that Disney does intense Character development in these cast members; they have extensive knowledge on who the character is, and how they will act). In our short conversation, I told the cast member that we (my husband and I) are newlyweds. She responded with "You know, Beast has not asked me to marry him yet."

I honestly didn't know what to say; so I scoffed "Oh he's probably just in a bad mood."

She responds "No, he's just really shy, he doesn't mean to seem so put off."

It really made me rethink the entire character in the movie. Suddenly it occurred to me that Beast was never mean, he just didn't know any other way of provoking loyalty other than fear. His demanding Belle to come down to dinner was not because he is bossy, but because he was afraid a request would end in rejection (which it did, but only because Belle did not understand the roots of his behavior either), so he only knew how to demand. I understand his character now, and I have an explanation for every irrational thing he does.

This is beast's story, not of his physical transformation, but his behavioral/emotional transformation.

The musical version transformed the story once again. Beast once again learns how to love, but this time, Belle goes through a transformation of her own. With her head filled with daydreams and fairytale pinning, Beast teaches her that real love takes work but its far better than any fairytale. At the end, when Beast lay dying on the floor, Belle sings "Home" reprise, expressing to him how he has changed her. Belle finally embraces reality as her dream and casts away her pinning for a fairytale.

This speaks volumes to me as I can relate it to my own life: Being the daydreamer and fairytale enthusiast, I only came down to reality when someone (i.e. m husband) showed me real love is better than a fairytale. Love can transform you. That's why this is the greatest love story ever. It feels real.

My favorite things

Without a doubt, you know I have a Beauty and the Beast collection, so I wanted to share one of my favorite pieces with you!

The rose from the broadway performance in New York. It's the first everlasting rose (and the last) my husband ever gave me, and rest comfortable in the center of my Beauty and the Beast display.

Desk Set- Oddly enough, I was unaware (or perhaps forgot) that there is a rose address box...which I don't have. Now I want it! I bought these all off of ebay because I wasn't quick enough to buy them when they went for sale on disneystore.com.

10th anniversary doll- I actually remember looking at this doll several times on my lunch break just fighting with myself. I knew I didn't need another princess doll...but I have to say... I'm glad I did!

Belle bank- I know. It's cheap, it's plastic, and I bought it from walmart! BUT.......when else have you seen her wearing her green dress?! I mean, yellow is easy. Blue and pink are available. It's rare to see her in green, so this one stays forever!

Despite the fact that I still have many lenox statues and brass key dolls, I've become very picky about what I had to my collection. Here are a couple things I'm keeping an eye on...

Madmine Alexander Doll- I am sewing a life size version of this dress some day. That's a promise.

Miniature Castle- I already have one, but it's missing pieces and damaged from my kids playing with it. I bought at the Disney store while I was still in high school. I spent $40 and I have seen it on ebay from time to time, but if I see it again, I'm buying it--and putting it were it will never get broken!

Tale as Old as Time!

Back to Fairytale Friday! Boy Have I been looking forward to this day!!!! All week I watched clips on youtube of off broadway "Beauty and the Beast", and I have to say I'm so excited to see it live Januarary 28th!


I'm going to share with you a couple treasuries related to beauty and the beast, but first, I also wish to talk about a song from the production which is very specail to me: A Change in Me.  I completely forgot about this song until I was researching the musical last week, and one website recommended we listen to Ashley Browns version which you can hear here.

This song speaks to me on so many different levels, and I honestly can say I'm not a fan of the melody, the message relates so much to my life, I've adopted it as my life's song. (I have a song for me and husband, and one for each of my children, and even for my former's mother group.)

The song is about giving up your fantasy dreams (I never thought I'd leave behind my childhood dreams) and jumping on board to reality (but I don't mind, for now I love the world I see) .  It also talks of being proud of who you were ( though who I used to be, I still depend on) ,  and being proud of who you are (I'm where and who I want to be).  I know I'll never lose my childhood dreams, they will always be there, but I've gladly handed them over; because the things in my real life are so worth the exchange.

Anyways, I really need to find a way to make this into a ringtone and add it to my phone......

moving on.

I browsed some Etsy treasuries the other day, looking specifically for Beauty and the Beast Themed Treasuries. I favorited two of them, planning to feature them here, but to my dismay I went to retrieve them today and only one was there! I am dissappointed as I'm sure it was an old treasury and the artist removed it, but I liked it for a few reasons:

1. It did not have a copyright character in it.. No disney! Although I love Disney's version through and through I am not a fan of those who use copyright character without a copyright aggreement (which is done frequently on etsy) , and so I really appreciate those who go the extra mile to make it copyright free.

2. It was color coordinated. Even more difficult!

3.  It was inventive. There were things I wouldn't even thought about putting in it!

I'm so sad I don't get to share this one with you! BUT what I can share is this one: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjY2MjY5MnwxNzE1MjY0NjQw/i-use-antlers-in-all-of-my-decorating?index=1

I wish craftcult would have worked in making a widget for this treasury, so reason it didn't like it! I love how they took just a line of the song annd used it as inspiration!

Here is the treasury I made:



Now, in reflection of the fact that I still wanted one more treasury but could find one, I thought that I would leave the challange to you!!!! Infact I'm so inclined I am willing to offer a prize: a hand painted vase themed to Beauty and the Beast! Here is how to enter:

*Create a Treasury

*Treasuries must be themed in some way to beauty and the beast; the story, not neccesarily Disney.

* Try to have good color flow

* You must tag it with "whimsicalmai blog" and let everyone know on the text box that you are entering a challange on Whimsicalmai blogspot. - this is how I will find them and contact you if you win!

You can start building treasuries now, winners will be announced AFTER I see the tour performance. All details to follow

Fairytale Friday: Beauty and the Beast

Where would my life be without fairy tales?  I'd be a very lost person! This is why every Friday, I've dubbed 'Fairytale Friday". Each month I will focus on one fairytale. I pick Beauty and the Beast this month, for several reasons: 1. It's my favorite; 2. Disney releases the 3D version January 13th.; 3. My husband bought me tickets to see it off Broadway January 28th.

Beauty and the Beast is a classic "beauty is on the inside" story. A woman overcomes the exterior looks of the beast, falls in love with him, and breaks the spell revealing he is a prince. It is a french love story, dating as far back as the 1700s.

Most versions have the same events:

A wealthy merchant, his three daughters, are forced to move to a farm house after their fortune is lost at sea.  By chance a ship does return, and the Merchant goes to port to see if they can reclaim their fortune. The two elder daughters request gifts of value, dresses,  and Belle (the youngest) requests a rose. The merchant goes to port to find out that he is still poor, and cannot buy the gifts for his daughters. During his trip home, he finds himself in a castle with seemingly no occupants, and yet he is anonymously feed, and sheltered for the night. Before he leaves he sees the castle garden he picks a rose for beauty.

Enraged, the castle owner (the beast) reveals himself only to kill the merchant for taking his most prized possession. When the merchant explains, the beast agrees to let him go home only to say goodbye. He should return to the castle prepared to die, or bring with him one of his daughters to live with the beast; by her own accord.

When Belle hears of this, to her father's dismay, she insists on going with him. Once settled in, she dines with the beast every night. At the end of dinner, he offers her a rose, and asks "Do you love me, and will you marry me?" Repeatedly she refuses,  and retires to her room. While sleeping, Belle dreams of the same prince every night while staying at the castle.

Eventually, Belle is allowed to go home to visit her family. She is gifted a mirror: to use to look back at the castle, and a ring (to bring her back to the castle), and many riches to give to her family.  She does not dream of the prince during her stay with her family, and forgets her promise to the beast to return in a month's time. Finally a dream reminds her, and she rushes back to the castle to find Beast dying near the rose bushes.

At this point, he asks her one last time if she loves him and if she will marry him, and she says yes. This breaks the spell, and Belle finds her prince is actually the beast. They are married and live happily ever after.

Please stay tuned as in future Fridays, I'll take you through some verisons I'm familiar with, Etsy inspired treasuries, and much more!!!!!