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Tiffany Chu's avatar

This was a wonderful essay, Patty. I remember reading this version in my fairytale book as a child, and it always stuck with me as well.

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Patty Kane Horrigan's avatar

Tiffany, thank you for your response. It's always a thrill when someone actually takes the time to write something. I didn't much like Rapunzel as a kid, but I've come to really appreciate it as an adult.

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Mary Roblyn's avatar

Thank you so much for this deep dive into this story. It doesn’t surprise me that the Grimm tales were sanitized. But this one, particularly, is so full of wisdom and meaning. Love your site. Just subscribed.

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C.A.'s avatar

Not relevant to your thoughtful analysis, but Rapunzel is an utterly wonderful fairy-tale name, and I'm certainly glad her mother didn't suffer from a desperate craving for broccoli "Broccoli, Broccoli, let down your golden hair"--nope, no magic there).

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C.A.'s avatar

I didn't realize the story in the--well, not original original but Grimm original, was so, well, grim. I don't remember where I read the story, but the ending was certainly cleaned up. But this kind of reinforces your point that the story is about Life, not about any particular individual having a happy life, but Life itself having a primal power to ever survive, ever grow.

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Patty Kane Horrigan's avatar

I don't know if I properly responded to your comment. I had been shut out of substack on my computer and I couldn't reply to anyone. If I already did reply, let me just add that it's always a thrill when someone gets what I'm trying to say.

thank you

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Mary Ann Horrigan's avatar

This was a really enjoyable story, well written, and with great insight. Thanks- needed this in this cold dreary day!

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