I finished this a few days ago on a plane and completely forgot to log it. Anyways, it was an interesting read. However, it was sort of racist, which was quite disappointing. But then again, it did feel like a fairytale set in the south in the late 1700s or early 1800s. Given that historical context, perhaps I shouldn't be overly surprised by the mention of slavery and the language used to describe indigenous people. It's a reminder of the darker aspects of that era. Despite the racism, there were still some elements of the story that were engaging. It made me think about how different life was back then and how far we've come in terms of social progress. Overall, it was a bit of a mixed bag.
The Robber Bridegroom by Eudora Welty is a remarkable work that combines fairy tales in a brilliant way. Based on the Grimm brothers' tale, it's not a direct adaptation. In the Grimm version, the bandit is more like a murderous Bluebeard, but in Welty's novel, she combines multiple fairy tales to make it more romantic, funny, and enthralling. The addition of the evil Salome gives it a Snow White feel, with the stepmother plotting against the stepdaughter. Goat plays the part of the huntsman, and Jamie's robbers are like the dwarves. Traces of other fairy tales like Cinderella, Goose Girl, and Cupid and Psyche also appear.
Aside from her talent for telling fairy tales, Welty has a striking gift for prose and language. She captures the essence of old Mississippi and weaves its history with exaggeration and fantastic fairy tale elements seamlessly. The irony and surrealism add depth to the story, although the characters remain mostly static in a purposeful way.
However, written in 1942 and set in the late 18th century, traces of sexism and racism are present. Some aspects, like the treatment of the Indian tribe and a disturbing murder, can make modern readers uncomfortable. But considering the time period, it's important to view the book in its historical context. Overall, if you love fairy tales and want something different, give this short classic a try. Welty has created a wonderful American fairy tale that is still remembered for a reason.
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But I'd rather round down out of pure spite. It just felt that way. You know, it was like the plot of a fever dream of an American settler who was dying of dysentery. The whole situation seemed so strange and out of the ordinary. As if it was something that belonged in a wild and crazy story. Maybe it was the frustration or the annoyance that made me want to round down. Or perhaps it was just a random impulse. But whatever the reason, I couldn't help but feel that way. It was as if there was an invisible force pushing me to do it. And I just went along with it, almost like in a trance. It was a moment that I'll probably remember for a long time, even if it doesn't make much sense to anyone else.