The Story of Vasilisa
At a very young age, children all over the world are introduced to a version of Cinderella. Whether it be the movie created by Disney or their own cultural version, they all have the same moral: be kind and be brave. The story that is, arguably, the darkest of the Cinderella tales, is the story of Vasilisa and Baba Yaga. This story not only describes the cruelty of her stepsisters and stepmother, but also tells the tale of a darker “fairy godmother” who kills for the thrill and does not bestow a beautiful dress on the protagonist. There is innocence, death, and love in this story, making it not only a teaching story for children, but also representing the more spiritual aspect of many cultures.
Vasilisa was forced to …show more content…
Their contrast, not just with beauty but also with kindness, symbolizes the good and bad in each person. The mortar that Baba Yaga rode on, not only symbolizes death, but also foreshadows the deaths of Vasilisa’s stepsisters and stepmother. When Baba Yaga exclaims that she will devour Vasilisa, the reader believes that the mortar represents Vasilisa’s death and she will not complete the impossible tasks Baba Yaga had entrusted her to do. However, with the help of the doll given to her by her mother, Vasilisa is able to complete the chores, resulting in Vasilisa’s survival and the death of her evil and jealous …show more content…
Bright Day is the first character outside of the cottage the reader is introduced to because it represents Vasilisa’s innocence. The only side of Vasilisa that the reader is familiar with is the innocent and caring characteristic, so in essence, that is the first attribute associated with the forest, besides Baba Yaga. Bright Day disappears almost as soon as it’s introduced, in the same matter as her innocence. This horseman is active in the morning, the time of renewal and redemption and also in the most vulnerable moment of Vasilisa’s story.
The second horseman Vasilisa encountered is the red horseman, or Red Sun. The red color signifies the evil and corruption that happens throughout the day. The innocence of morning has now been tainted red with the blood of sins and fury, much like Vasilisa’s life. Until this part of the story, Vasilisa had never experienced death has a sin, only abuse and torment. By being in the woods, she has come to realize how horrible her life had been thus far and the realization of this has tainted her
At a very young age, children all over the world are introduced to a version of Cinderella. Whether it be the movie created by Disney or their own cultural version, they all have the same moral: be kind and be brave. The story that is, arguably, the darkest of the Cinderella tales, is the story of Vasilisa and Baba Yaga. This story not only describes the cruelty of her stepsisters and stepmother, but also tells the tale of a darker “fairy godmother” who kills for the thrill and does not bestow a beautiful dress on the protagonist. There is innocence, death, and love in this story, making it not only a teaching story for children, but also representing the more spiritual aspect of many cultures.
Vasilisa was forced to …show more content…
Their contrast, not just with beauty but also with kindness, symbolizes the good and bad in each person. The mortar that Baba Yaga rode on, not only symbolizes death, but also foreshadows the deaths of Vasilisa’s stepsisters and stepmother. When Baba Yaga exclaims that she will devour Vasilisa, the reader believes that the mortar represents Vasilisa’s death and she will not complete the impossible tasks Baba Yaga had entrusted her to do. However, with the help of the doll given to her by her mother, Vasilisa is able to complete the chores, resulting in Vasilisa’s survival and the death of her evil and jealous …show more content…
Bright Day is the first character outside of the cottage the reader is introduced to because it represents Vasilisa’s innocence. The only side of Vasilisa that the reader is familiar with is the innocent and caring characteristic, so in essence, that is the first attribute associated with the forest, besides Baba Yaga. Bright Day disappears almost as soon as it’s introduced, in the same matter as her innocence. This horseman is active in the morning, the time of renewal and redemption and also in the most vulnerable moment of Vasilisa’s story.
The second horseman Vasilisa encountered is the red horseman, or Red Sun. The red color signifies the evil and corruption that happens throughout the day. The innocence of morning has now been tainted red with the blood of sins and fury, much like Vasilisa’s life. Until this part of the story, Vasilisa had never experienced death has a sin, only abuse and torment. By being in the woods, she has come to realize how horrible her life had been thus far and the realization of this has tainted her