Genre 2 (Traditional Literature) Rapunzel

RAPUNZEL
by: Paul Zelinsky

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Zelinsky, Paul. 1997. RAPUNZEL. New York, N.Y. Puffin Books. ISBN 0-14-230193-0

PLOT SUMMARY

Paul Zelinsky’s retold version of Rapunzel begins by unfolding the story of a young couple who for many years tried to have a child, until one joyous day the Missus realized her dress was too tight. The Missus is plagued by a craving for rapunzel; an herb that grows in the walled garden of the sorceress next door.  This craving causes the couple much plight. The child was born and given to the sorceress, who names her Rapunzel. Rapunzel was free as a bird until she was trapped in a tower with no doors, allowed to see no one other than the sorceress. In passing one day, a prince falls in love with Rapunzel’s singing. Even though startled by the appearance of a man, Rapunzel couldn’t resist his kind words and love. Rapunzel is cast into the Wild Country by the sorceress because of their love children. Rapunzel longed for her prince until one day she finds him wondering through the forest, blind. Rapunzel’s tears of joy restored the prince’s vision once again. Rapunzel and her prince returned to his kingdom where they lived a happy long life with their two love children.          

CRITICAL ALAYSIS

Caldecott Medal award winner Paul Zelinsky’s authentic retelling of Rapunzel’s “bitter-sweet” tale takes its shape from both German brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s version of Rapunzel, and other earlier versions of the tale. Rapunzel is one of the most flourishing and beautiful stories ever created for children. Zelinsky follows traditional plot lines of fairytale happy endings, “There they lived a long life, happy and content.”  Even though the tale is well written and stimulating, Zelinsky’s version may be more appropriate for older or more mature audiences, as in the tale a situation such as Rapunzel being visited in the tower at night by the prince and then, on the next page, she's pregnant isn’t appropriate for young audiences. Implying that she is pregnant, "'Rapunzel said, "If you please, Stepmother, help me with my dress, it doesn't want to fit me anymore.' Instantly the sorceress understood what Rapunzel did not. 'Oh, you wicked child!' she shrieked. ‘I thought I had kept you safe, away from the whole world...'" Zelinsky’s retold version also portrays the limitless boundaries a family has for a loved one. Even though inappropriate and wrong, the alarmed man had to get the herb for his wife in her time of despair, although he could be caught “Ten times, twelve times he circled the garden wall, but found neither door nor gate. So, lowering himself through the window at the back of the house, he climbed down into the sorceress’s garden. Quickly he pulled up as much rapunzel as he could hold and scrambled back up through the window.”

What makes Zelinsky’s version so different from the rest are his stunning, original and miraculous oil painting illustrations that represent the Renaissance period. Zelinsky explains in the back of his book that he studied the narration of the story and revealed its Italian roots, determining then to set his version’s illustrations reflecting Renaissance Italy. His paintings provide his readers with images of the elegant architecture of the tower with great columns that rise in the middle of the woods and the beautiful landscaping of a stunning garden with sculptures that are frequent of the Renaissance period, rather than portraying the cruelty, nastiness and poverty of society during the period of the Renaissance. Zelinsky proves his creativity and detailed oriented mind when he adds to each painting a cat that keeps Rapunzel company, or serves as a companion, in every scene she is in from a young child to a grown woman with a family. It seems as if the cat’s mood also changes as Rapunzel’s does, emphasizing that the cat also shares Rapunzel’s emotional turmoil. Zelinsky’s oil paintings bring his version of Rapunzel to life, tugging his readers into the lives of Rapunzel’s emotional life journey.

Easy to read and full of rich text, Zelinsky’s version of Rapunzel shouldn’t be overlooked. His meaningful plot and unforgettable paintings are fantastic contributions to traditional literature for audiences of all ages. Due to mature situations that are introduced in the tale, there should be a question and answer session at the end of the reading to clear up any misconceptions.       

REVIEW EXCEPT(S)

Kirkus Reviews- called the art "grandly evocative, composed and executed with superb technical and emotional command."

The Horn Book- "Simply put, this is a gorgeous book; it demonstrates respect for the traditions of painting and the fairy tale while at the same time adhering to a singular, wholly original, artistic vision."

CONNECTION

Related Literature

The books below are different versions of Rapunzel that can also be discussed. These books would provide great opportunities for children to compare and contrast different versions of the traditional fairytale Rapunzel.

Sugar Cane: A Caribbean Rapunzel by: Patricia Storace - ISBN-10: 0786807911
Rapunzel: A Groovy Fairy Tale by: Lynn Roberts - ISBN-10: 0810942429
Petrosinella: A Neapolitan Rapunzel by: Diane Stanley - ISBN-10: 0613056833

Resource to find these interesting facts and vocabulary words: http://www.oquita.com/Into%20the%20Woods/Into%20the%20Woods%20Research/Rapunzel_Study_Guide.pdf

Important Vocabulary Word- Noting and discussing unfamiliar words in the text can help improve children’s comprehension and fluency while reading the text.  Discuss words such as:

betrayed – failed or deserted, especially in time of need
confronted – caused to meet; brought face to face
craving – wanting greatly; needing, begging, demanding
fetch – to go or come after and bring or take back
glimpses – brief looks at (something or someone)
longing – a strong desire for something
mercy – a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion
plummeted – dropped sharply and abruptly
sorceress – a woman sorcerer
sorrow – deep distress, sadness, or regret
wretched – being or appearing mean or miserable

Activity 1:

Discuss facts about Rapunzel with children such as:

FACT: Rapunzel, or rampion, as it is called in some versions of the tale, is a real plant.

FACT: This leafy vegetable was grown as food in England, France, Germany and Italy during the 1800’s and was often boiled and used as a substitute for spinach.

FACT: Today it can be seen growing wild at roadsides in southern England.

FACT: In North America, relatives of this type of rampion are grown as decorative plants in rock gardens.

FACT: Think Rapunzel has the world’s longest hair? Well, according to the Guinness Book of

World Records (2003) the real life record for the longest hair was set by Hoo Sateow on

November 21, 1997, when her hair was measured at 16 feet 11 inches, or 5.15 m long!

Activity 2:

Resource: http://www.paulozelinsky.com/paul.html

Paul Zelinsky has a great website that could be utilized to help children familiarize themselves with the author and other books he has written.  This would be a great website for children to explore that will help them further their understanding of Zelinsky’s version of