Leaf by Lantern

Alicia interviews C.S. Lewis (metaphorically) on how to retell a fairy tale in the light of Scripture. Lewis’s masterful novel Till We Have Faces (1956), a retelling of the fairy tale “Cupid and Psyche,” expresses the beauty of the gospel in the language of Greek/pagan mythology. Topics discussed include a little of Lewis’s journey in writing this story and his artistic process; his brilliant interpretation of the unseen husband, the sin of jealousy, and the veil images from the fairy tale; and the intersection of research and craft. ResourcesHuttar, Charles (2009) "What C.S. Lewis Really Did to "Cupid and Psyche"," Sehnsucht: The C. S. Lewis. Journal: Vol. 3 : Iss. 1, Article 4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55221/1940-5537.1027 Ancrene Riwle — medieval text, includes an allegory of the Seven Deadly SinsDorothy Sayers’s essay, “The Other Six Deadly Sins”Strong’s Hebrew on jealousy: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7067.htmMusic: Intro from Adam Saban’s “Tales from the Past”; episode segments from Cody Martin’s “Gate of Alfheim”

Alicia returns to Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” with a second guest, K.B. (Karin) Hoyle, to talk about Karin’s recently released retelling of the tale, Son of Bitter Glass. They discuss Karin’s interpretation/adaptation of flower symbolism; ravens; eternity and snow; romance and friendship; the fae; the rich imagery of fairy tales and folklore in general; and more.To order a copy of Son of Bitter Glass, visit the Owl’s Nest Publishers bookstore online. ResourcesK.B. Hoyle’s Son of Bitter Glass and the companion book that comes before it, Son of the DeepHans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” Edith Hamilton’s MythologyMusic: Intro from Adam Saban’s “Tales from the Past”; episode segments from Third Age’s “Tuatha Dé Danann”

Alicia explores the Scottish folktale, “Aspittle and the Stoorworm,” and how an artist might interpret the title character, the sea dragon, and the battle in the beast in a retelling. Topics discussed include ashes, fire, and dreams; etiological tales; the Leviathan passage in Job; and the paradox of the weak overcoming the strong.ResourcesSee “Aspittle and the Stoorworm” in Norah and William Montgomerie’s The Folktales of Scotland“At the Burial of the Dead” service from the Book of Common Prayer: https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/book-common-prayer/burial-dead Liver as the seat of the emotions - entry in the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/3516.htm William MacDonald’s Believer’s Bible Commentary on Job and Isaiah 27See John Piper’s sermons on Job on DesiringGod.orgCharles Simeon Trust Society's online course on Wisdom Literature, especially Douglas Sean O'Donnell's exposition of Job 42Music: Intro from Adam Saban’s “Tales of the Past,” episode segments from Cody Martin’s “Taking the North”

Alicia Pollard and a returning guest, K.C. (Kimberlee) Ireton, discuss Kimberlee’s theological reading of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen.” They discuss the images of the mirror and the nature of evil; perfection in roses vs. snowflakes; isolation; resurrection; summer; and much more. ResourcesK. C. Ireton’s website: kcireton.com (Enter your email and get two free chapters of “A Yellow Wood”)K. C. Ireton’s Substack: kcireton.substack.com (Grab your free copy of “Rose at Dawn,” a fairy tale retelling)Tiina Nunnally’s translation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy talesAlbert Mohler’s talk on the noetic (knowledge-related) effects of sin: https://www.ligonier.org/posts/session-3-albert-mohler-2012-national-conferenceVigen Guorian’s Tending the Heart of Virtue: How Classic Stories Awaken a Child’s Moral Imagination C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape LettersFor more on the Deadly Sin of Sloth (acedia), see R.J. Snell’s Acedia and its Discontents or Kathleen Norris’s Acedia and MeMusic: intro from Adam Saban’s “Tales from the Past”; episode segments from Adam Saban’s “The Enchanted Castle”

Alicia and a guest, her dad, discuss “The Frog Prince” and work together to envision what a science fiction retelling of this fairy tale might look like. Topics discussed include favorite themes of science fiction, transcendence and human warmth in a vast universe, the absence of the famous kiss, worldbuilding, the sun, and the linden/lime tree.ResourcesProject Gutenberg version of “The Frog Prince”: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/20437/20437-h/20437-h.htmAndy Weir’s The Martian and Project Hail MaryArthur C. Clarke’s 2001 and 2010Madeleine L’Engle’s Wrinkle in Time seriesArrival (2016)Interstellar (2014)Brandon Sanderson's work (science fiction and fantasy)Robert K. Johnston’s Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue (Engaging Culture) - discussion of Transcendence A vs. Transcendence B in filmJonathan Rogers's webinar, "On Setting" - idea that setting creates plot: https://thehabit.co/september-2020-webinar-setting/Music: Intro and outro from Adam Saban’s “Tales from the Past”

Alicia explores the beautiful sadness of the Celtic folktale “The Selkie Wife”. Topics discussed include a Christian perspective on literary tragedy; the themes of exile, the stranger, and a dual nature; and ocean imagery in Scripture. ResourcesDaniel Sarlo, entry for “Sea” in the Lexham Bible Dictionary, 2016More resources on the Biblical image of the sea: John H. Walton’s Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible.H.R. Balz and G. Schneider’s Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament, volume 2Tsumura, David Toshio, The Earth and the Waters in Genesis 1 and 2: A Linguistic Investigation.Gunkel, Hermann. Creation and Chaos in the Primeval Era and the Eschaton: A Religio-Historical Study of Genesis 1 and Revelation 12. The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)Song of the Sea (2014)“The Music Man” musicalLadies in Lavender (2004)William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” “Othello,” and “Macbeth”Sophocles’s “Oedipus Rex” and “Antigone”Christopher Marlowe’s “The Tragedy of Dr. Faustus”John Gardner: “There are only two plots in all of literature: 1) A person goes on a journey., 2) A stranger comes to town.” Christianity and Literature 2017 conference, “Beauty in Exile,” Grove City CollegeMusic: Intro from Adam Saban’s “Tales from the Past”; episode segments from “West” by Shimmer

Alicia examines how a Christian artist could approach retelling “The Golden Bird” in the light of Scripture. Topics discussed include good Edens vs. false Edens, a Scriptural view of gold, and Biblical approaches to betrayal. ResourcesWilkie Collins’s A Woman in White (both the book and the 2018 miniseries)Mary Shelley’s FrankensteinSusan Gaskell’s North and SouthFrances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret GardenA.A. Milne’s Winne the PoohBonus: For a more thorough discussion of the imagery of the princess in this tale, see Nicholas Kotar’s episode, “Princess Ivan and the Gray Wolf,” from his podcast, In a Certain Kingdom. Music: Intro from Adam Saban’s “Tales from the Past”; episode segments from Adam Saban’s “Journey to a New World”

Alicia concludes the Fairy Tales and Poetry mini-series with a meditation on the personification of Wisdom in Proverbs 8:22-36. She discusses what we can learn from the age of Wisdom, the craftsmanship of God in creation, the calling to sons, and the techniques of personification and anthropomorphism in general in the art of retelling fairy tales.ResourcesP.P. Jenson, “Poetry in the Bible,” in New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed.)Jessica Day George’s Sun and Moon, Ice and SnowShannon Hale’s The Goose GirlJ.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows“The Singing, Soaring Lark” and “The Three Ravens” from Grimm’s Fairy Tales (first edition translated by Jack Zipes)Music: Intro from Adam Saban’s “Tales from the Past”; episode segments from Cody Martin’s “Treasure of the Heart”

Continuing the theme of fairy tales and poetry, Alicia examines the structure and meaning of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. She discusses what we can learn from its parallel structure and how we can imitate its careful use of words in retelling fairy tales.ResourcesEcclesiastes 3:1-8 from the English Standard Version (ESV)Christine Perrin’s “Root and Branch: Tolkien the Poet” in J.R.R Tolkien and the Arts: A Theology of Subcreation, published by Square Halo PressMusic: Intro from Adam Saban’s “Tales from the Past”; episode segments from “Great is Thy Faithfulness” played by Marie

In this shorter episode, Alicia begins to explore the connection between fairy tales and poetry. She examines the divinely-inspired craftsmanship of Genesis 1 and how the author’s use of meaningful repetition serves as a model for fairy tale retellings.ResourcesElla Enchanted by Gail Carson LevineThe Charles Simeon Trust Society’s “First Principles” online courseMusic: Intro from Adam Saban’s “Tales from the Past”; episode segments from Third Age’s “Ocean of Worlds”

Alicia and K.C. (Kimberlee) Ireton talk, or rather, gush about the Christological imagery in Hans Christian Andersen’s literary fairy tale, “The Little Mermaid,” and how an artist might retell the story. Topics discussed include the world above, the sun, the prince, the knife imagery, self-sacrifice, theological vs. literal readings, and resurrection.Note: If you are not familiar with Michael Ward’s book Planet Narnia, looking up a brief description before listening to this conversation may be helpful.ResourcesHans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid”Michael Ward’s Planet NarniaHouston Christian University's M.A. in ApologeticsC.S. Lewis's "The Weight of Glory"Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, especially ParadisoCharlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and Anne Bronte’s The Tenant of Wildfell HallK.C. Ireton’s A Yellow Wood and Other StoriesK. C. Ireton’s website: https://www.kcireton.com/ (where you can sign up to receive two free chapters of A Yellow Wood)Kimberlee's October Book Club - final meeting on Monday, October 23: https://mailchi.mp/3c31b7508a4a/october-book-clubMusic: Intro from Adam Saban's "Tales of the Past,"; episode segments from Cody Martin's "Edge of the Sea"

Alicia explores the radiant “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” and how a Christian artist could approach retelling it. Topics discussed include compass directions, handling awkward or strange episodes in fairy tales, wind imagery in Scripture, natural theology, and the imaginative atmosphere created by trolls.ResourcesLucius Apuleius’s The Golden Ass, which contains the tale “Cupid and Psyche”C.S. Lewis’s Voyage of the Dawn TreaderC.S. Lewis’s essay “On Stories”Popular Tales from the Norse, tales collected by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe, translated by Sir George Webbe Dasent“East of the Sun, West of the Moon” on GutenbergBen Keyes’s lecture, “Caring for Creation (IV): Does the Natural World Teach Theology?“ from the Southborough L’Abri Fellowship, November 15, 2019Two favorite “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” retellings (not mentioned in show):Jessica Day George’s Sun and Moon, Ice and SnowEdith Pattou’s EastMusic: Intro from Adam Saban's "Tales from the Past,"; episode segments from Cody Martin's "Gate of Alfheim"

This between-season bonus episode offers reflections on W.H. Auden’s defense of fairy tales and how it can inform Christ-following artists today. Alicia Pollard is joined by J.F. Ewert, also known as Frank, to discuss W.H. Auden’s life and work and what he can teach us in his “Afterword to the Golden Key” and “Introduction to the Tales of Grimm and Andersen.” Topics discussed include the idea of cultivating an “atmosphere of goodness,” the importance of thankfulness and joy in writing, grace in fairy tales, and the mindset of memoir.ResourcesJ.F. Ewert’s website: https://www.jfewert.com/Frank’s presentation at the Fieldmoot conference, which featured thoughts on W.H. Auden and other topics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvlAPhsZlj8W.H. Auden’s “Shield of Achilles,” “Afterword to the Golden Key,” “Introduction to the Tales of Grimm and Andersen,” “Secrets,” and For the Time BeingGeorge MacDonald’s “The Golden Key”Patrick Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind (not necessarily recommended)Music: Intro and outro from Adam Saban's "Tales from the Past"

Alicia closes the first season of the podcast with some thoughts on how to create happy endings that imitate the great Happy Ending of Scripture. Includes reflections on the lack of surprise, Gospel connection, and use of motifs in an ending, as well as a meditation on the happy ending of Isaiah 11.ResourcesCharles Simeon Trust Society, “First Principles” course for men and women - see the “Seeing Jesus” segment about the Gospel Connection“The Psalm Code - Genesis Imagery in the Psalms” lecture by Andy Patton at the English L’AbriAngelina Stanford’s course, "How to Read Fairy Tales," for an excellent overview of folklore, scholarship, history, and interpretive methodsDante Alighieri’s Divine ComedyFrances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret GardenEmily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights (footnote referenced is from the Annotated Edition by Janet Gezari, page 372)J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the RingsRoald Dahl’s MatildaJ.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixVictor Hugo’s Les MisérablesJane Austen’s Pride and PrejudiceScriptures referenced: Isaiah 11:1-11, Revelation 21Music: Intro from Adam Saban’s “Tales from the Past”; episode segments and outro from Cody Martin’s “Life Fulfilled”

Alicia Pollard is joined by Emma C. Fox to talk about Emma’s book The Arrow and the Crown, a retelling (or story with echoes) of “Beauty and the Beast.” They discuss how Emma’s book deals with topics like light/darkness, fear/love, and lies/truth in the spirit of 1 John; the themes and images of the forest, grace, the Beast, sanctification, and community; griffins; and the significance of fancy dresses. ResourcesEmma C. Fox’s The Arrow and the CrownEmma C. Fox’s The Carver and the Queen (coming October 2023)Subscribe to Emma’s free monthly e-newsletter at emmafoxauthor.com for Find Emma on Instagram at @emmafoxbooks, and on Facebook at EmmaFoxAuthorMary Shelley’s FrankensteinScriptures referenced: 1 John, Colossians 1:13-14, Revelation 12Music: Intro and Outro from Adam Saban’s “Tales from the Past”; episode segments from Cody Martin’s “Gate of Alfheim”

A reading and discussion of the “Three Princesses” fairy tale and how a Christian artist could approach retelling it. Includes reflections on the images of land, sky, and sea; lions, bears, eagles, falcons, whales, dolphins, and dragons; the wholeness and distinction within Creation; the villain; the concept of matching or completion in fairy tales; images of redemption or the breaking of the enchantment.ResourcesJack Zipes’s The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, tale 82 (translated from the Grimm’s 1812 edition)Version of the tale from Johann Karl August Musaus’s The Three Sons-in-Law (1861) https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc2.ark:/13960/t7kp82106&view=1up&seq=9 Version of the tale from Giambattista Basile’s Il Pentamerone (1634): https://fairytalez.com/the-three-enchanted-princes/ Version of the tale from Andrew Lang’s Golden Fairy Book: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c045427456&view=1up&seq=159 List of variants from around the world: https://kids.kiddle.co/The_Three_Enchanted_PrincesGeorge MacDonald’s The Princess and CurdieDiana Wynne Jones’s A Tale of Time CityWilliam Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”J.R.R. Tolkien’s RoverrandomMusicIntro and Outro from Adam Saban’s “Tales From the Past”; episode segments from “Intercept” by Cody Martin

A reading and discussion of the “Frau Holle” or “Mother Frost” fairy tale and how a Christian artist could approach retelling it. Includes reflections on the images of two sisters, one good and one bad; the well; rebirth; frost and snow; blessings and curses; motherhood, work, and divine grace.ResourcesTextual comparison of the 1812 vs. 1857 versions of this tale in Grimm’s collection: https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm024a.htmlGeorge MacDonald’s At the Back of the North WindC.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the WardrobeNanny McPhee (2005 film)MusicIntro and outro from "Tales from the Past" by Adam Saban; episode segments from "St. Nick's Workshop" by Cody Martin

Alicia Pollard is joined by Loren G. Warnemuende to talk about Loren’s Daughter of Arden series, which retells the fairy tale “Maid Maleen.” They discuss the father figure in the tale; the discipline of God; the princess; beauty as idolatrous or transcendent; the tower; the garden; resurrection; and the importance of fancy dresses in fairy tale retellings.Resources“Maid Maleen” tale from the Brothers Grimm: https://www.grimmstories.com/en/grimm_fairy-tales/maid_maleenLoren Warnemuende’s Daughter of Arden series, Exile and Wandering: https://www.bandersnatchbooks.com/store/p/dofa-bundleLoren’s blog: https://lorebegins.com/Loren’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loren_g_warnemuende/YouTube lectures on T.S. Eliot’s poetry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yq8-yYtAyfk&list=PLKtLclVSbW1GGd-8XycTPOs3NIZlcv0-HBible Study Fellowship study, Kingdom Divided: https://www.bsfinternational.org/our-studies/kingdom-divided/Music: Intro and outro from "Tales of the Past," by Adam Saban; episode segments from "Journey into a New World" by Adam Saban

A reading and discussion of “The Black Bull of Norroway” and how a Christian artist could approach retelling it. Includes reflections on the images of the call at the beginning; the black bull itself; the wandering in the wilderness; the shining mystery of the glass hill; faith, suffering, and holiness.ResourcesAndrew Lang’s Blue Fairy Book, 1889“The Black Bull of Norroway,” Andrew Lang’s text, read by someone with a real Scottish accent: https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/141/the-blue-fairy-book/3960/the-black-bull-of-norroway/Joseph Jacob’s More English Fairy Tales, 1894William and Norah Montgomerie’s The Folk Tales of Scotland, 1956William MacDonald’s Believer’s Bible Commentary, introduction to LeviticusJ.R.R. Tolkien’s Selected Letters. See this article on the “Impression of Depth” in his work: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/562221Music: Intro and Outro from Adam Saban’s “Tales of the Past”; episode segments from CJ-O’s “Ceridig’s Heart”

Alicia examines Max Luthi’s five characteristics of the fairy tale/folktale genre and how an artist can “translate” or adapt each characteristic in a fairy tale retelling. Scriptural examples discussed include the prophet Samuel’s first confrontation with King Saul and the life of Christ; fictional examples include J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and Emily Rodda’s Golden Door trilogy.ResourcesAngelina Stanford, House of Human Letters, “How to Read Fairy Tales” (asynchronous video course), especially on the principles of folkloreVladimir Propp's The Morphology of the Folktale - another folklore resourceMax Luthi’s The European Folktale: Form and NatureThe German word translated as “one-dimensionality” is EindimensionalitätThe German word translated as “depthlessness” is FlächenhaftigkeitWriting and teaching of Jonathan Rogers: https://thehabit.co/The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienThe Screwtape Letters by C.S. LewisThe Golden Door series by Emily RoddaMusic: Intro and outro from Adam Saban’s “Tales of the Past”Episode art: Photo by Adam Gonzales on Unsplash

Alicia Pollard introduces the show and answers the “why” questions behind this podcast:Why discuss fairy tale retellings?Why use Scripture as a lens or light for retelling fairy tales?Why is Alicia creating this podcast?Includes some reflections on feminist, Marxist, Freudian, and psychological/Jungian interpretations of fairy tales; artistic strategies for retelling fairy tales; the beauty and power of the Bible; and some of Alicia’s personal reading journey with folklore.ResourcesAngelina Stanford, House of Human Letters, "How to Read Fairy Tales" (asynchronous video course): https://houseofhumaneletters.com/product/how-to-read-fairy-tales/Junius Johnson Academics, literary and theological studies (synchronous video courses): https://academics.juniusjohnson.com/G.K. Chesterton’s chapter “The Ethics of Elfland” in his book OrthodoxyJacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s Introduction to the second edition of their collectionC.S. Lewis’s essay, “Sometimes Fairy Stories May Say Best What’s to be Said”Max Luthi’s book, The European FolktaleGeorge MacDonald’s essays on the imagination from his book, A Dish of OrtsJ.R.R. Tolkien’s essay, “On Fairy Stories”: where Tolkien used the term “Tree of Tales”Maria Tatar's The Annotated Brothers Grimm, introduction by A.S. ByattMusicIntro and Outro are from “Tales from the Past” by Adam SabanSegment transitions are from “Tales of the Bard” by Cody Martin