Playing Analyst

After reading this weeks section of Gardiner, I feel that I have a better understanding of my disdain for reading plays. In the beginning of chapter 7 the author remarks that few people "read plays for pleasure in the same way that we might take a novel with us to the beach." (Pg. 113) The page goes on to explain methods to benefit a reader's understanding of plays. I have always had trouble visualizing a play, so this helps to explain my struggle with the genre.
The sample analysis in the end was very intriguing to me. I felt that if I could read a play with a specific analysis in mind, like Mrs. Peters' ethical journey, I could enjoy the play more. I might be able to see the play through Mrs. Peters' eyesI look forward to reading more plays in the future in order to test out my theory that a specific analysis will facilitate in my enthusiasm and understanding if reading plays.

Stories

I really enjoyed the poem "Cinderella," because it is not all sunshine and roses like the Disney version. This poem takes a well known story from Disney and depicts its origin, which is part of the Grimm fairy tales. This version uses the dove in order to give Cinderella everything that she desires, rather than a magical Godmother. The dove symbolizes the pure love of the mother, as well as the animalistic instincts that a mother would have if her child were being wronged. When Cinderella is in need, the dove is there to provide for her since the mother can not be. When Cinderella is being wronged by others, the dove comes to her aid. I could not help but picture the dove as the spiritual essence that the mother left behind, instead of smiling "down from heaven in the seam of a cloud" like the mother said that she would do. Overall, I thoroughly prefer this work and its gruesome details in comparison to Disney's adaptation. 

The second poem made me laugh. Most of the time you really do not want to know the true story because it does not have the soft edges or enthusiasm that an alternative version has. I could not help but think of the different versions of Cinderella and how most (if Grimm's version is more like the true story since it is where the adaptation came from) do not want to know about eyes being pecked out or women cutting their feet to make a shoe fit. The two poems went hand in hand for me after making this connection that the first is like the true story that the second says you should not ask for. My mind then went to the saying that there is a right side, wrong side, my side, and his side to every story. The variations are what allow for adaptation, and most of the time the preferable choice of which side we accept is due to the fact that we innately dislike confrontation and discomfort.