Childrens Story Puss in Boots :: Child Literature Fairy Tales Puss Boots Essays

Children's Story Puss in Boots A close examination of the tale type 545-b (according to Aarne and Thompson) (1) reveals a well known, almost universal tale of man and animal helper. There are many consistencies between western tradition and Central Asian renditions. Several themes are parallel yet cultural influences vary some of the plot details. The political and social structures of the time in which these stories were told shape these details and lays the background for the story. The most significant difference between western versions and those of Central Asia seems to be which animal plays the role of hero, cat or fox. The story of â€Å"Puss In Boots† is a children’s favorite. It is one of Charles Perrault’s most well known fairy tales. The tale originated from oral tradition in the East. It has undergone many changes over a long time period and a wide geographic area. Today many literary adaptations of this famous story fill classrooms, libraries and children’s bookshelves world-wide. â€Å"Versions with a cat as a protagonist are predominantly found in Western Europe...† (2) However, the historical renditions of the tale as well as many modern adaptations have a fox as the protagonist. It was the arrival of the tale to Southwestern Europe that saw the character change to a feline. According to Marianthi Kaplanoglou, in Central Asian tales, specifically Mongolian, Tibetan, and Alti-Turkish, the animal-helper is a fox. The fox is known in myths and tales from China, Korea, and Japan as a mythical creature. They are often associated with Mangus, a typical demon of Central Asian tales. He or his relatives are able to transform into foxes at any given time. According to tradition, a poor hunter spares the life of a fox, who repays the favor by helping the man. The animal , either fox or cat, introduces the young man as a person of wealth who was robbed by highway men. He captures animals and presents them to the ruler. The fox then arranges for the wedding of the man to the rulers’ daughter. The tale continues with the fox killing the owner of a large fortune. This owner is usually Mangus . In this tale, the fox proves beneficial to the man and therefore becomes an adversary of Mangus. The killing of this supernatural being then becomes a just act rather tha n one of maliciousness. The young man has acquired fortune, married the daughter of a person of great wealth and power.