We all love reading stories to our children and grandchildren. Books were a huge part of my sons' upbringing, and all those wonderful Golden Books and popular children's books are in a box in my closet in hopes I will one day read them to my grandchildren.In Colonial days, people that could read, read to their children. If you would, imagine a mother sitting in a rocker by the fire with one of her wee ones on her lap, others sitting on the floor in rapt attention. Or perhaps they are tucked in to bed, a candle burning on the bedside table for mother to read by. There were many in those days that did not read or have the luxury of books, so tales were passed down and orally told.
Two of the most popular Fairy Tales of the Colonial era were Aurore and Aimée and a revised version of Beauty and the Beast by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont.
There's a lot to be said for oral story telling. So much room for animation and on-the-spot improvising. And I think that a story passed down orally would be remembered more.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post, Rita. I've never read Robinson Crusoe and Beauty and the Beast is my daughter's favorite story....any and all versions.
Thanks for sharing this post and the links, Rita. I love the images, too. I can just imagine colonials gathered around the hearth listening to stories shared by book or memory. Warms my heart and excites my imagination.
ReplyDeleteYes, me too. I think I'm going to read Robinson Crusoe. I've only seen movies.
ReplyDeleteI suspect story telling, or reading stories among the literate, was probably a great delight in a time when there were far fewer ways of entertainment.
ReplyDeleteCool post, Rita, and thanks for the links!
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