1. Focus Question
Why do people tell stories and why do we like to listen to, read, and watch them? What can be learned from stories?

2. Fairy Tales Brainstorm
What are some of your favorite fairy tales? Why are they your favorites?

3. Fairy Tales Analysis
As we watch this clip, think about what messages this story is trying to send, as well as what about it has made it so popular over the years.
Disney’s Cinderella

4. Disney’s Cinderella
Based solely on this story, as presented in this film, what inferences can we make about the society in which this story was made?
Think about what values were important, gender roles, behaviors, etc. What did the people of this time and place want?

5. Historical Context
No matter what, every story that is written is in some way influenced by the time period, CONTEXT, and some times the events of the author’s life, in which it is written.
Sometimes the text is a reflection of the values of its time period; sometimes it is a criticism of it.
It is extremely important to keep this context in mind when reading.

6. Historical Context
By examining the characters, setting, plot, imagery, and language of a story, we can infer some of the values and desires held by a society in which an author is writing.

7. Author’s Purpose and Craft
We can ALSO learn things about the author by the way he/she puts the story together, the CHOICES he/she makes in writing the story.
What are some decisions that an author has to make when writing a story?
What decisions did the Disney Animators make in Cinderella? What can it reveal about their purpose?

8. What can we learn from stories?
To start, we are going to examine ONE character that has appeared in MULTIPLE historical contexts and by multiple authors.
In your notes, draw the following chart:
1968
1989
2008
Details/ images
What does this reveal?

9. Examples
As we view the clips, write down any details about the character, the costume, the actions, the environment, etc. that stand out to you.
We will then discuss what these details reveal about the time period’s values and the author’s purpose.

10. Historical Context Batman 1966-1968 Batman 1989-1992 Batman 2005-2012
Vietnam War and protests
Civil Rights movement
Batman
Gulf war
End of the Cold War
Batman
Recession
Globalization
Diversity

11. Fairy Tales
Fairy tales are some of the most enduring stories, but different versions have been told over the years.
We already discussed Disney’s Cinderella.
Now, you are going to compare it to Grimms’ who wrote this story in the 1850s in Germany.

12. Cinderella—Grimm Brothers
Read the story, highlighting things that stand out to you.
On the back, list some differences between this story and the one that you know.
Then, try to figure out what the differences mean.

13. Context vs. Universal Themes
Though historical context matters, a story wouldn’t last if there wasn’t something universal about its themes.
Think about both Cinderella and Batman. What about their stories can someone from any time period relate to?