Keisha Strickland
Mr. Cooper
CRWR 212-Y
2/20/2014
European Folktale Variant
Tonight authorities were called to a residence after reports of a fire came in from an anonymous source. Inside police found a young woman who was reported missing three months ago. She was discovered in a disheveled state, clutching a fire extinguisher tightly in her small hands, diligently guarding a library. When later searched they found red-tipped matches in her pockets. Her name has been released as Belle, which she says her father ironically named her. Her father is an eccentric man, a self-described hipster, and he has been posting notices everywhere online since his daughter went missing, but claims authorities did not take him seriously.
Belle set the regal yet rustic estate she was being kept in on fire after she says her captor began to talk to the teapots. This, she claims, is what snapped her out of what she fears was stockholm syndrome, but she still refuses to leave the library her captor “allowed” her to enter a little over a month ago.
Meanwhile the man who was holding her prisoner has been arrested and will be facing charges of kidnapping after undergoing a psychiatric evaluation at the local hospital. Residents in town were interviewed about the crime. One man going only by the name of Gaston said, “Well, I’m not surprised. She totally friendzoned me, and did you see how dresses?”
He was also taken into custody shortly thereafter for conspiracy charges, and also for being a generally creepy person. Belle says she plans to repair the damages to the estate, and open it up to the community to use as a public library. More on this story as it develops.
10 comments:
Keisha,
This was a wonderfully entertaining example of one of Mullen's experimental exercises.
This was not only comedic, but you did a fine job of delivering it to a modern day scenario. How might you continue modernizing this piece?
I will say that I prefer the use of anonymity in a piece like this. When you begin to introduce character's names and details that, perhaps, too deliberately give up the identity of the folktale then it somewhat weakens the overall product.
What other details can you dish out?
What other ways can you reveal the story without being so bold?
Excellent work here, but be sure to review it again for editing errors as I did find a few.
How might you incorporate more figurative language, and give us more poetry from this experimental text?
Well done!
Prof. Cooper
Thanks, Professor Cooper! I didn't think of keeping the names anonymous. I wanted to add more word play like Mullen, but I didn't have the time to devote to getting it right before I submitted it. I'll definitely work on that when I revise.
I loved this! It was such an interesting piece to read. I definitely enjoyed how you tied in different elements to make your piece complete. I would add more detail and imagery about her surroundings, but other than that wonderful work!
This is such a great spinoff of a classic tale. I would love to read some more details about the people and places involved. Why is Belle's name ironic here? I look forward to reading more!
I love the allusion that you create with this piece. The piece is very descriptive and imaginative. I would add a she in "did you see how dresses” This gives the reader an idea on who you’re talking about as well as creates ambiguity. Also it has great modern elements as if you could be a reporter, reporting on the story.
Thanks for sharing
Jason Faulkner
This poem was amazing! I was enjoying the beginning just because it was an interesting story, but once the references to Beauty and the Beast began I was completely stunned! I loved how the story was modernized without being cliche or underdeveloped. I loved the start because it made me feel this suspense and made me want to read more. Very well written!
--Monique Ahmad
Hi Keisha!
This poem is amazing! Seriously, I couldn't get enough!
The poem is quite obviously about a crime that has taken place as it describes a crime scene. I really loved how you contrasted this crime scene with Beauty and the Beast. There were obvious parallels between the two stories. The images that you painted were vivid and interesting. I also chuckled when you introduced personification in the form of her captor talking to teapots. You definitely modernized a classic tale and I really enjoyed reading your modern take on it.
Thanks for sharing!
~Crystal
Hi Keisha,
This was a very nice and interesting work that you have put together. I really enjoyed the work and how comedic and detailed you were being with the original to switch it up into something totally different. Good Job!
Deyanira Bustos
Keisha,
This is great, the comedic touch and contemporary approach was very refreshing. I was particularly fond of the short witty phrases you incorporated. It almost makes the reader forget the actual story behind the way that it's told. Make sure you add in commas where there should be pauses in the sentences, it makes it easier to read. This is great work!
Thank you!
Claire Smithers
Keisha,
I really loved this. I thought it was really funny. You did a great job spinning this Disney story into almost a satire. Your point of view as a reporter added a new side to this story and I want to know more. What else does this reporter have to say? One thing I noticed was that your sentences were quite long despite the commas. Try breaking up the thoughts into smaller sentences, as reporters tend to do. Other than that though, this was wonderful!
Rebecca
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