Traditional Literature-Review 1

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Wolkstein, Diane. 1996. White Wave: A Chinese Tale. Ill. by Ed Young. San Diego, CA. Harcourt Brace & Co. ISBN 0152002936

2.PLOT SUMMARY
Kuo Ming is a Chinese farmer who lives alone in the hills. Upon encountering a unique moon snail on his way home, he decides to tend to the live creature within it by feeding it fresh leaves. Thereafter, Kuo Ming is mystified when he finds his dinner ready every evening as he comes home from a long day of farming. While spying through the window of his home, he discovers that a moon goddess emerges from the moon snail every day to makes his delicate meals. Kuo Ming’s emotions rise as he is joyous to have such an incredible creature in his home. Although aware that he should not touch a moon goddess, Kuo Ming is tempted and he approaches her. White Wave, the moon goddess, is displeased with the farmer’s actions and announces her departure. She promises Kuo Ming that she will be of assistance whenever he needs her. Saddened, Kuo Ming becomes immersed in building a shrine for the moon goddess upon a hill. Without food or money left, Kuo Ming finds himself calling White Wave’s name. Making honor to her promise, White Wave provides Kuo Ming with enough food to last a year. Eventually Kuo Ming marries and has a family. The tale of White Wave and the shrine on the hill is told to Kuo Ming’s family and has become a folktale of the Chinese culture.

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Through her retelling of this story, author Diane Wolkstein is able to transcend to readers an experience of true traditional fantasy. The names of the two characters, White Wave and Kuo Ming ( meaning” Country White” according to the author’s note) provide the reader with a notion of goodness and sacrifice in the qualities of these two characters. Although White Wave was disappointed with Kuo Ming for forgetting to listen to his instinct when he desired to touch her, she continued to exhibit kindness by offering her help in times of need. According to our lecture notes provided by Dr. Vardell these two qualities seem to be revered in the Chinese culture. In keeping with the trends of traditional fantasy, minimal information is provided about the setting: the hills of southern China. Also, the story begins with the phrase “Long ago, in the time of mysteries…” providing the reader with a tone of mysticisms right away that serves as an impulsive force for readers to continue to approach the text carefully and softly if being read aloud. The text includes a repetitive pattern as portrayed by the events of Kuo Ming feeding the moon snail every morning and then returning home to find his dinner prepared every evening. An appealing attribute to the development of the story were the illustrative elements provided by Ed Young. Enclosed by a red border, the illustrations encompass the use of graphite pencil. The sole use of white color on White Wave, the moon snail, and “wherever she stepped in the room…” is used to deliver the illusion of glimmer that surrounds this magical being. Ed Young also captures the attention of the vigilant reader with his use of snail like circular lineage used repetitively throughout the pages.


4.REVIEW (EXCERPTS)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “A well-told Chinese folktale, first published in 1979 (Crowell), has been reissued with a handsome new jacket and a few changes in the text.”
HORN BOOK GUIDE: “Recommended, satisfactory in style, content, and/or illustration.”

5.CONNECTIONS
-Visit Scholastic web page “Myths, Folktales, and Fairytales” at http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/ for unit on this genre.
-Prepare a script for reader’s theater and allow students to participate.
-Creative writing experience: Explore the possibilities of what happened to White Wave.
-Other recommended folktales for improving multicultural awareness:
Jolen, Yane. Favorite Folktales from Around the World. ISBN 0394751884
Garland, Sherry. Chldren of the Dragon: Selected Tales from Vietnam. ISBN 0152242007
Shepard, Aaron. The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland. ISBN 0689829124