Why We Must Kill the Witch

 

Why we must kill the witch

Witches in Literary Criticism for Fairy Tales

 

THE CROSSING:

 

The Risk: the protagonist (hero or heroine) enters a completely opposite world than they one they are used to. In the midst of the risk, the hero must:

 

Explore

Examine

Take Chances

=

self realization

The Unknown: the protagonist will always cross into the unknown. Normally, the unknown is symbolized by The Woods. The Woods is a place that offers protection, but also contains the unimaginable.

 

Q. What transports (ie. woods, staircase) the protagonist into their unfamiliar territory? Why?

 

A. Story One:

 

A. Story Two:

 

 

THE ENCOUNTER:

 

Face to Face: The protagonist must overcome the witch, face to face. No shortcuts can be taken.

 

The challenge/task: the task that the protagonist will be asked to perform is to be a direct comparison to the “evilness” of the witch.

 

Purpose: “We have met the enemy and it is us.”

 

ALL WITCHES ARE BAD.

 

 

 

Q. What is your witches “bad” behavior?

 

A. Story One:

 

 

A. Story Two:

 

Q. How does your protagonist relate to an epic or tragic hero?

 

A. Story One:

 

A. Story Two:

 

THE CONQUEST: (DESTRUCTION)

 

The witch must die. Justice in fairy tales is always quick. (right vs. might) Not, only is it quick , the punishment will ALWAYS fit the crime. (a purification of sins) A witches death must be complete, because death is a hard concept for many children to handle. Parents always try and explain death with terms such as: they are sleeping, in heaven, etc. But, in a fairy tale a child MUST know the witch is dead with no hope of return.

 

RULE: Children can kill witches, ogres, even step-moms. But, they can never kill their own flesh and blood. (Reason? it hits too close to home).

 

Q. Does your witch die at their own hands or at the hands of the hero? Why is that important to the overall story?

 

A. Story One:

 

A. Story Two:

 

 

 

W. Why is it important that your witch dies the death that she does?

 

A. Story One:

 

 

A. Story Two:

 

 

THE CELEBRATION: (THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER)

 

Restoration: The party/ celebration restores a child’s faith in themselves. “At the end of every fairy tale we will always encounter: OURSELVES.”

 

Q. How does the reader encounter themselves at the end of your stories?

 

A. Story One:

 

 

A. Story Two: