QUESTIONS ON MARIA LA CENICIENTA
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1. Compare the “negative” character in the English version with the “negative” character(s) in Maria la Cenicienta.
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2. Do you think both folktales come from the same source?
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3. Is there a “moral” to be learned from la Cenicienta?
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4. Create another ending for Maria la Cenicienta.
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5. Are their any allegories in this folktale? If so, what do they represent?
LA ISLA DEL ENCANTO (ISLE OF ENCHANTMENT)
La Isla del Encanto is the name of a small island situated at the mouth of the Tuira River. It is very verdant and full of rich vegetation which has stimulated the imagination of the Darienitas or inhabitants of Panama.
During the colonial period, the Spaniards constructed on the island a solid castle to defend the entry from the pirates such as Sir Francis Drake. There are still remnants of the strong walls which have the inscription: “If you enter Darien (Panama) commend yourself to Maria (the Virgin) for in your hands is the entry and in God’s hand your exit.” This disturbing warning gives the idea of how dangerous the navigation was in these places, infested with sanguin pirates.
Many inhabitants of La Palma, a village on the Tuira River, say that in the months of April and May, they hear a majestic orchestra when approaching the Isla del Encanto. Some have heard the music in the morning, others at night. Different kinds of music are heard: sometimes the melodies of a religious hymn emanating from an enormous organ or the sweet notes of a flute like that of Pan, other times the wailing notes of a violin, the symmetry of a piano or the harmony of delicate. No one has been able to pin the source of the music because it constantly changes its direction: sometimes it comes from the sky or is floating with the wind. It is most moving when it seems to be burgeoning from the waters. When this happens the rowers strike the canoes and whey they make the surface of the waters vibrate, the music acquires higher tonalities. The symphony that seemed to come from a distance before, then surrounds the traveler and inundates the whole region with its new notes. Why the music and from where?
According to the leyenda La Isla del Encanto was colonized by the Spaniards. In Panamania history there is also an account of a combat between a troop of marine guards and the English pirate who tried to capture the Island of Enchantment. The pirate and his beautiful were imprisoned. The pirate was condemned to death but his daughter was given perpetual imprisonment. Her beauty kindled love in many of the military officers. The military chief, afraid that the others would win her heart first, had the pirate’s daughter locked in the castle on the island. He and other admirers sent her many gifts among them musical instruments. He visited her most frequently and demanded her love. As time went the captive daughter perfectionized her music and artistic abilities.
Before her imprisonment she had dedicated much of her life to art and music. She dedicated her time toward the cultivation of art and learned to execute majestic music until she became an exquisite artist. The travelers and fishermen in the proximity of the river would detain themselves to listen to the suave music that emanated from the castle.
The military chief did not cease to importune his beautiful captive with amorous advances. She continued to exhibit dignity and valor before her impassioned pretendiente (lover) whom she viewed as the oppressor and accomplice in the murder of her father. The chief, who was unaccustomed to military defeats and much less amorous ones, gave up the wooing and moral fortitude, and tried to rape her.
The daughter of Albion (the pirate in history also) fought with incredible vigor until she jumped out of the windows of the castle and threw herself into the river.
Thus, according to legend and the inhabitants of the island, the music heard is the grandiose soul of the artist that floats in the environment of the waters. The music dilutes the sadness but sings the epic poem of arrogance (the military officer) and virtue (the daughter). The enchantment is the mysterious music that cannot be accounted for and which brings to mind the similar phenomenon that can be found in other areas like the grotto of Fingal, on the Island of Staffa, on the coast of Scotland, according to Vicente Vera in his book
Amenidades Cientificas
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