Blog Post #5

"Wolf Alice" by Paula Gunn Allen

Like many other girls, as a youngster I was always interested in fairytales.  Something about the princesses with gorgeous princes sweeping them off their feet while little birds serenaded their true love was so encapsulating to me that even to this day I am still interested.  After taking Novels and Tales in my first semester of freshman year, I became even more obsessed with the creation and history behind these traditional fairytales, especially all the different interpretations and modifications of just one single story.
I was very intrigued with the story "Wolf Alice" by Paula Gunn Allen because of the hidden, unsuspected part of a fairytale that I believe can be overlooked.  This interpretation of the fairytale was so different because of its journey through the discovery of reality and human life. I specifically loved Alice's experience with her period, such a common and normal part of human life, yet so strange in the eyes of an outsider. I felt that this story almost turned humanity and reality on its head, allowing for readers to discover a new and different part of reality that had escaped their knowledge.
Lately, I've been obsessed with the show Once Upon A Time. Essentially, its a parallel of common fairytale characters such as the princesses, and the world of reality. These characters are placed in every day, real life situations and experiences that truly draw the line of distinction between fairytale and reality. I think it's a brilliant concept for a show that brings a modern and unexpected view to the original fairytales, much like "Wolf Alice." Definitely check it out!