Rianna Seelig and Kerry Brooks Discussion Leading Questions

1.) Great attention is given to the physicality of women in multiple tales. What is the significance of female bodies within the tales? How does a woman's beauty effect her treatment within the tales?

• "Once upon a time there lived in a certain village a little country girl, the prettiest creature that ever was seen."-Little Red Riding Hood
• "The two ugly maidens replied that they had another sister, but they dared not let him see her, for she had only two eyes, like common people... and the knight was astonished to find her so beautiful."-One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes

2.) How does the prominence of female narrators/protagonists effect how you interpret and receive the story? Would you feel differently about certain tales if told from the perspective of a man?

3.) How is "The Beautiful Dancer of Yedo" different from the other tales? In what ways does the tale explore more mature themes and what effect does this have on the message of the tale?

4.) How is disability portrayed in the tales? What effect does disability have on the fate of the characters?

• "Now because little Two Eyes looked just like other people, her mother and sisters could not endure her. They said to her, 'You are not better than common folks, with your two eyes; you don't belong to us.'"-One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes