Perraults Puss in Boots :: Perrault Puss Boots Essays

Perrault's "Puss in Boots" Perrault's "Puss in Boots" is the charming tale of a boy who is delivered into good fortune through the clever cunning of his cat, and this story carries with it a basic plot, structure and theme commonly found in works of this genre. In fairy tales, one of the basic characteristics of a story line is its general involvement with some type of initial difficulty, usually made known to the reader in the introduction. As a result, the main character or characters of the story are compelled to seek a final resolution to the situation (Bruti). Perrault follows this formula, and begins his tale by presenting the dilemma of a young boy who must make his way in the world following the death of his father, his only inheritance being that of a cat. Having outlined the challenge facing the main character, the story proceeds to the next part of the story, the opening. It is at this point in the story where the main character is often given something, such as an object, or advice from another character to assist him or her in the completion of their transformation (Morris). In most instances, the support given acts as a catalyst and spurs the hero or heroine into action. In "Puss in Boots", the cat plays the role of an assistant to the orphaned boy, but with one slight inversion to the traditional story line. In this case, the cat not only offers words of consolation and advice to the boy, he also initiates the action leading up to the final resolution and transformation of the hero. Normally, a more common version of this theme would have the Miller's son carry out the plan of action, not his advisor. Traditionally in most fairy tales, the action occurring within the story moves along at a very quick pace, and it provides the basis for conflict and suspense. This is accomplished through the "use of repetition both in expressions and events" (Bruti). Generally the plot is based on a cycle of three recurrences, with each event acting as an episode or sub-story within the general story, and this pattern of three is often repeated one or more times throughout the story depending on the complexity of the tale (Morris). Following in the path of tradition, Perrault's tale also employs the use of repetition, with events occurring in patterns of three.

Baz Luhrman’s Romeo and Juliet: Movie Review

Romeo + Juliet Film review The film â€Å"Romeo + Juliet† was released in 1996, with Baz Luhrman as director. This is one of the most famous love plays written by Shakespeare, screenplay was by Craig Pearce. Romeo and Juliet is a film about forbidden love and how tragic love can end. The film was shot in Miami, but most of all in Mexico. The main actors are Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet. Romeo and Juliet is about two teenagers that fall madly and deeply in love in Verona, italy, it takes place in the present time.Romeo is an 18 years old, poor rebel and son of the Montague family. He has chestnut hair, soft olive skin, charming blue eyes and a determined but kind mind. Juliet is an 18 years old, rich daughter of the Capulets. Juliet has long dark hair, gorgeous green eyes and clear pearl skin. She doesn’t like being pushed into doing things she cant decide for herself. Juliet loves Romeo and vise versa. As if it weren’t enough problems wit h relationships at a young age, their families were great enemies. This makes it physically impossible to for them to be together.This particular film is a renewed version of the actual story written by Shakespeare. Therefore you can relate a bit more to the actors actions and drama. Romeo is a smart guy, and come up with some clever ideas for the two of them to meet. In one of his last attempts to end the â€Å"war† between their families, something goes totally wrong and destroys their chances forever. The music and sound was made and set by Nellee Hooper. The sound effects were really intense and aggressive, but that only made the story come more to life.The way they talked was extremely special, it set the mood of Shakespeare’s originality and realness. The message the film wanted to give was that you should always follow what you want. Forbidden love is possible to make just love, you just have to fight with everything you have. When teenagers get determined about something they do not forget it easily. â€Å"Romeo + Juliet† will always be an incredible and beautiful love story, that many can relate to. I loved the tension between the two families and the problems that kept on coming during the film.I was really exited every time Romeo and Juliet were secretly meeting. The frighting thought about being caught and killed was constantly there. The only thing that was difficult to understand was the language. In the film they talked the original â€Å"old english† that Shakespeare used in his time. It was not easy to understand everything they said. Since I had heard about the story and read it before, I knew what was going to happen. Over all Romeo & Juliet is a beautiful love story that will never be forgotten.

M. Butterfly, a Play by David Henry Hwang

M. Butterfly is a play written by David Henry Hwang. The drama won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1988. The Setting The play is set in a prison in present-day France. (Note: The play was written in the late 1980s.) The audience travels back to 1960s and 1970s Beijing, via the memories and dreams of the main character. The Basic Plot Shamed and imprisoned, 65-year-old Rene Gallimard contemplates the events that led to a shocking and embarrassing international scandal. While working for the French embassy in China, Rene fell in love with a beautiful Chinese performer. For over twenty years, they carried on a sexual relationship, and over the decades, the performer stole secrets on behalf of the Chinese communist party. But heres the shocking part: the performer was a female impersonator, and Gallimard claimed that he never knew he had been living with a man all those years. How could the Frenchman maintain a sexual relationship for over two decades without learning the truth? Based on a True Story? In the playwright notes at the beginning of the published edition of M. Butterfly, it explains that the story was initially inspired by real events: a French diplomat named Bernard Bouriscot fell in love with an opera singer whom he believed for twenty years to be a woman (quoted in Hwang). Both men were convicted of espionage. In Hwangs afterward, he explains that the news article sparked an idea for a story, and from that point the playwright stopped doing research on the actual events, wanting to create his own answers to the questions many had about the diplomat and his lover. In addition to its non-fictional roots, the play is also a clever deconstruction of the Puccini opera, Madama Butterfly. Fast Track to Broadway Most shows make it to Broadway after a long period of development. M. Butterfly had the good fortune of having a true believer and benefactor from the beginning. Producer Stuart Ostrow funded the project early on; he admired the finished process so much that he launched a production in Washington D.C., followed by a Broadway premiere weeks later in March of 1988 - less than two years after Hwang first discovered the international story. When this play was on Broadway, many audiences were fortunate enough to witness the incredible performance of BD Wong starring as Song Liling, the seductive opera singer. Today, the political commentary may fascinate  more than the sexual idiosyncrasies of the characters. Themes of M. Butterfly Hwangs play says much about humanitys propensity for desire, self-deception, betrayal, and regret. According to the playwright, the drama also penetrates the common myths of eastern and western civilization, as well as the myths about gender identity. Myths About the East The character of Song knows that France and the rest of the Western world perceive Asian cultures as submissive, wanting — even hoping — to be dominated by a powerful foreign nation. Gallimard and his superiors grossly underestimate China and Vietnams ability to adapt, defend, and counterattack in the face of adversity. When Song is brought forth to explain his actions to a French judge, the opera singer implies that Gallimard deceived himself about his lovers true sex because Asia is not considered a masculine culture in comparison to Western Civilization. These false beliefs prove detrimental to both the protagonist and the nations he represents. Myths About the West Song is a reluctant member of Chinas communist revolutionaries, who see the westerners as domineering imperialists bent on the moral corruption of the East. However, if Monsieur Gallimard is emblematic of Western Civilization, his despotic tendencies are tempered with a desire to be accepted, even at the cost of supplication. Another myth of the west is that nations in Europe and North America thrive by generating conflict in other countries. Yet, throughout the play, the French characters (and their government) constantly wish to avoid conflict, even if it means they must deny reality in order to attain a facade of peace. Myths About Men and Women Breaking the fourth wall, Gallimard frequently reminds the audience that he has been loved by the perfect woman. Yet, the so-called perfect female turns out to be very male. Song is a clever actor who knows the exact qualities most men desire in an ideal woman. Here are some of the characteristics Song exhibits to ensnare Gallimard: Physical beautyShrewdness which gives way to submissivenessSelf-sacrificeA combination of modesty and sexinessThe ability to produce offspring (specifically a son) By the end of the play, Gallimard comes to terms with the truth. He realizes that Song is just a man and a cold, mentally abusive one at that. Once he identifies the difference between fantasy and reality, the protagonist chooses fantasy, entering into his own private little world where he becomes the tragic Madame Butterfly.