Podcast Summary: Storytime for Grownups – Summer Session: Animal Bridegrooms Part 2

Introduction to Summer Session

In the second episode of the Summer Session titled "Animal Bridegrooms Part 2," host Faith Moore delves deeper into the enchanting world of fairy tales, specifically focusing on the motif of animal bridegrooms. This seasonal series, a departure from the usual classic literature readings, positions itself as a delightful blend of storytelling and academic exploration, likened to a "college class, only fun."

Continuation of the Animal Bridegroom Theme

Faith acknowledges the nearing end of the Summer Session, reflecting on the transition as schools resume their routines around September. She builds anticipation for the upcoming main book of the season, teasing a trailer release on August 21st for subscribers. Faith outlines the schedule, indicating that the final Summer Session episode will air on September 2nd, followed by an introductory episode for the new book on September 4th.

Listener Engagement: Comparative Analysis

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to engaging with listener feedback. Faith shares and responds to a thoughtful comment from a listener named John:

John [00:09:30]: "Maybe I've just been listening to this podcast too much, but it was really hard not to see Snow White and Rose Red as Laura and Marian from The Woman in White. One was sweet and domestic, the other was adventurous and outspoken. And the sweet, domestic one got the guy in the end, even though her sister also got a guy, too, but not the one we'd already gotten to know. Am I totally crazy here?"

Faith wholeheartedly agrees with John's observation, highlighting the striking parallels between the sister dynamics in "Snow White and Rose Red" and Wilkie Collins' "The Woman in White." She elaborates:

Faith Moore [00:09:45]: "You are not totally crazy at all. I had the exact same thought when I was reading this story for the show this summer."

Character Dynamics and Literary Tropes

Faith dissects the character archetypes, comparing Snow White's gentleness and domesticity to Rose Red's adventurous spirit with Marian's self-perception versus Laura's portrayal in "The Woman in White." She emphasizes the universality of these tropes in fairy tales:

Faith Moore [00:10:30]: "Fairy tales are so basic and so elemental that they're universal, and they encapsulate a lot of the tropes and ideas and themes that speak to us as human beings."

Positive Representation of Older Women

Shifting focus, Faith contrasts the typically evil older women in fairy tales—like wicked stepmothers—with the benevolent portrayal of the mother figure in "Snow White and Rose Red." She praises the mother's role in fostering kindness and acceptance, breaking away from the norm of evil matriarchs:

Faith Moore [00:12:15]: "In Snow White and Rose Red, ... the older woman is actually a really positive character and not at all evil, right? She takes care of her two daughters... she leads by example and shows the two girls to be kind and to have help."

Introducing "East of the Sun and West of the Moon"

Faith transitions to introducing another animal bridegroom tale, "East of the Sun and West of the Moon," sourced from Norwegian folklore and featured in Andrew Lang's Blue Fairy Book. She provides a brief background:

Faith Moore [00:15:00]: "This one is a Norwegian story... collected by Peter Christian Asbjornsen and Joran Moe, and then translated by Andrew Lang."

Faith hints at the complexity and depth of the upcoming story, encouraging listeners to engage with its themes and symbolism, particularly focusing on the transformation and relationships inherent in animal bridegroom narratives.

Reading from "East of the Sun and West of the Moon"

Faith proceeds to narrate a portion of "East of the Sun and West of the Moon," setting the stage for listener engagement and analysis in future episodes. The story revolves around a beautiful young girl who encounters a white bear that transforms into a handsome prince under specific conditions. The narrative explores themes of trust, betrayal, and perseverance as the girl embarks on a quest to reunite with the prince after breaking a crucial promise.

Closing Thoughts

Faith concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to reflect on the story's themes and share their insights. She invites feedback and questions, setting the stage for a comprehensive discussion in the following episode.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• John's Observation:
  "Maybe I've just been listening to this podcast too much, but it was really hard not to see Snow White and Rose Red as Laura and Marian from The Woman in White..."
  [00:09:30]

• Faith on Fairy Tales' Universality:
  "Fairy tales are so basic and so elemental that they're universal, and they encapsulate a lot of the tropes and ideas and themes that speak to us as human beings."
  [00:10:30]

• Faith on Positive Older Women Characters:
  "In Snow White and Rose Red... the older woman is actually a really positive character and not at all evil..."
  [00:12:15]

Key Themes Explored

1. Character Archetypes in Fairy Tales:
   The contrasting personalities of protagonists and how they mirror characters from classic literature, emphasizing the timeless nature of these roles.

2. Representation of Older Women:
   Challenging the stereotypical evil matron figure by highlighting benevolent older female characters who embody wisdom and kindness.

3. Animal Bridegroom Motif:
   Exploring the transition from superficial enchantment to deeper relational dynamics, setting the foundation for more complex stories like "East of the Sun and West of the Moon."

4. Intertextual Connections:
   Drawing parallels between fairy tales and literary works, demonstrating the influence and reinterpretation of traditional motifs across genres and eras.

Conclusion

This episode of "Storytime for Grownups" offers a rich exploration of animal bridegroom fairy tales, connecting them to broader literary themes and character archetypes. Faith Moore's insightful analysis and engagement with listener feedback create a dynamic and educational listening experience, inviting both new and existing fans to delve deeper into the beloved world of classic storytelling.