Rapunzel Review

 Rapunzel



















BIBLIOGRAPHY

Zelinsky, P. O. (2002). Rapunzel. Puffin Books. ISBN: 978-0-14-230193-7

PLOT SUMMARY

In this traditional fairy tale, Zelinsky changes the subtly changes the plot but keeps to the integrity of the tale. Rapunzel’s mother  the queen craves rapunzel from the entrantress’ garden. The king climbs over the wall to steal some. The queen says she’ll die if she doesn’t have more. This time, the king is caught by the enchantress. She spares him when he agrees to give the baby to her after she’s born. The enchantress makes good on her promise, names the baby Rapunzel, and raises her at her home. At 12, the enchantress takes her to a tower with no doors. For years the enchantress calls up to Rapunzel to let down her hair so she can come up through the tower’s window. A prince rides by and hears Rapunzel singing to the birds but can’t find a door to enter the tower. He watches when the enchantress calls up and does the same the next evening. Rapunzel is taken aback at first as she has never seen a man. They were engaged and married that night, and he returned every evening. One evening she asked the enchantress to let out her dress and she realized that Rapunzel was pregnant. She cut off her hair and sent her into the wilderness. The prince called to Rapunzel and the enchantress threw down the hair to see who it was. When he reached the top he was told he lost Rapunzel and he let go of the braids and fell to the ground, blinding him. He stumbled in the wilderness until he heard a familiar voice; it was Rapunzel and their twins. She wept on him which returned his eyesight and he saw they were near his kingdom. They returned where they were received with joy. 


CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Rapunzel is a European Folktale that is a Fairy Tale. The author/illustrator Paul Zelinsky modified some details but remained true to the heart of the tale. He added the enchantress truly cared for Rapunzel until she found out about the pregnancy. The usual fairy tale ends with the enchantress falling to her death. In this tale, the story carries on as the couple wander in the wilderness surviving by self-reliance. Zelinsky used Italian Renaissance oil paintings as illustrations to convey the beauty of humanity. In this Fairy Tale, good vs. evil is not as evident because the enchantress truly cares for Rapunzel and keeps her from harm. 


REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book Guide starred (March, 1998)

It takes a scholar's mind and an artist's insight to endow the familiar with unexpected nuances--which Zelinsky does with passion and dazzling technique. His choice of a Renaissance setting is inspired, allowing for many artistic and architectural allusions. The book demonstrates respect for the traditions of painting and the fairy tale while at the same time adhering to a singular, wholly original, artistic vision. Extensive notes are appended.


CONNECTIONS

Compare/Contrast several versions of Rapunzel using a Venn diagram.

In Math students can create Rapunzel’s hair and then measure the length with different types of manipulatives. 

In Writing, students can write the story from a character’s point of view about the events. 

Similar books:

Zelinsky, P. Rumpelstiltskin. ISBN: 0525442650

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