Extra Reading Diary: Italian Fairy Tales

This week, for the extra reading assignment, I chose to read the Italian Fairy Tales. This is actually a unit I have been wanting to read as per the mention of Laura at the very beginning of the semester. I got to study abroad last summer in Italy, and I became pretty fascinated with the Italian culture (much of which I knew very little about before heading there). I mentioned that in my introduction, and Laura suggested that I read these stories. It wasn't until I was just scrimmaging through that I remembered that those were an option, so I decided to dive in and check them out!

(Italian Beauty and the Beast cover)

One of my favorite stories from the fairy tales was Zelinda and the Monster. As mentioned in the comments before the unit, it was definitely a Beauty and the Beast type of story. At first, I couldn't quite see the resemblance (other than of course a girl and monster), but as the story progressed, many of the same elements and details that are in the classic Disney movie and story were in this story as well. The mere fact that the monster returns to a handsome prince at the end of the story was the most obvious connection. The other connection about the girl's father being sick was also brought to my attention. My favorite quote amongst this story was "but you see, Zelinda, if you should marry me wonderful things would happen. What they are I cannot tell you until you will be my wife," because it is a sense of foreshadowing for the monster returning to prince form. It is made apparent by the quote that the monster is unable to tell Zelinda due to the curse the witch placed on him. Overall, the story was really easy to read, and I really enjoyed it!