After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
identify narrative techniques
analyze how key elements enhance an author's style
implement alternative plot structures in a short narrative
For this assessment, select one of the three fairy tales to rewrite using the techniques in the lesson. You can download them here: Fairy Tales.
The Leap-Frog by Hans Christian Andersen
Jorinda and Joringel by the Grimm Brothers
The Travelling Musicians by the Grimm Brothers
A Flea, a Grasshopper, and a Leap-frog once wanted to see which could jump highest; and they invited the whole world, and everybody else besides who chose to come to see the festival. Three famous jumpers were they, as everyone would say, when they all met together in the room.
"I will give my daughter to him who jumps highest," exclaimed the King; "for it is not so amusing where there is no prize to jump for."
The Flea was the first to step forward. He had exquisite manners, and bowed to the company on all sides; for he had noble blood, and was, moreover, accustomed to the society of man alone; and that makes a great difference.
Then came the Grasshopper. He was considerably heavier, but he was well-mannered, and wore a green uniform, which he had by right of birth; he said, moreover, that he belonged to a very ancient Egyptian family, and that in the house where he then was, he was thought much of. The fact was, he had been just brought out of the fields, and put in a pasteboard house, three stories high, all made of court-cards, with the colored side inwards; and doors and windows cut out of the body of the Queen of Hearts. "I sing so well," said he, "that sixteen native grasshoppers who have chirped from infancy, and yet got no house built of cards to live in, grew thinner than they were before for sheer vexation when they heard me."
It was thus that the Flea and the Grasshopper gave an account of themselves, and thought they were quite good enough to marry a Princess.
The Leap-frog said nothing; but people gave it as their opinion, that he therefore thought the more; and when the housedog snuffed at him with his nose, he confessed the Leap-frog was of good family. The old councillor, who had had three orders given him to make him hold his tongue, asserted that the Leap-frog was a prophet; for that one could see on his back, if there would be a severe or mild winter, and that was what one could not see even on the back of the man who writes the almanac.
"I say nothing, it is true," exclaimed the King; "but I have my own opinion, notwithstanding."
Now the trial was to take place. The Flea jumped so high that nobody could see where he went to; so they all asserted he had not jumped at all; and that was dishonorable.
The Grasshopper jumped only half as high; but he leaped into the King's face, who said that was ill-mannered.
The Leap-frog stood still for a long time lost in thought; it was believed at last he would not jump at all.
"I only hope he is not unwell," said the house-dog; when, pop! he made a jump all on one side into the lap of the Princess, who was sitting on a little golden stool close by.
Hereupon the King said, "There is nothing above my daughter; therefore to bound up to her is the highest jump that can be made; but for this, one must possess understanding, and the Leap-frog has shown that he has understanding. He is brave and intellectual."
And so he won the Princess.
"It's all the same to me," said the Flea. "She may have the old Leap-frog, for all I care. I jumped the highest; but in this world merit seldom meets its reward. A fine exterior is what people look at now-a-days."
The Flea then went into foreign service, where, it is said, he was killed.
The Grasshopper sat without on a green bank, and reflected on worldly things; and he said too, "Yes, a fine exterior is everything—a fine exterior is what people care about." And then he began chirping his peculiar melancholy song, from which we have taken this history; and which may, very possibly, be all untrue, although it does stand here printed in black and white.
Assessment
Complete the reading and activities.
Check your understanding of important concepts.
The main concepts covered in this lesson include identifying narrative techniques, analyzing how key elements enhance an author's style, and implementing alternative plot structures in a short narrative. Let's check our understanding of these concepts.
1. What are narrative techniques?
A. Methods that authors use to tell a story
B. Tools that readers use to analyze a story
C. Techniques used in visual storytelling
D. Techniques used only in fairy tales
Answer: A. Methods that authors use to tell a story
2. How can key elements enhance an author's style?
A. By adding depth to the characters
B. By increasing the pace of the plot
C. By creating a unique narrative voice
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
3. What is an alternative plot structure?
A. A plot structure that deviates from the traditional linear structure
B. A plot structure that is only found in fairy tales
C. A plot structure that includes multiple storylines
D. A plot structure that focuses on character development
Answer: A. A plot structure that deviates from the traditional linear structure
4. What is the task for the assessment in this lesson?
A. Analyze the narrative techniques in the given fairy tales
B. Rewrite one of the fairy tales using the techniques from the lesson
C. Create a new fairy tale with an alternative plot structure
D. Compare and contrast the narrative styles of different fairy tales
Answer: B. Rewrite one of the fairy tales using the techniques from the lesson