Before making the heady jump from Greek Myth to Victorian Play, and expecting students to follow the concept that the stories are the same, I would introduce a part stop for children by introducing the Pinocchio story by the Italian author, Colodi. Most students have some exposure to the story of Geppetto, the wood carver who creates a puppet from wood, and wishes life into it. The teacher can tell the story, and if available on videocassette, show the Walt Disney animation. The “what happened” of the story can be thoroughly discussed. The discussion should be led to “Can you see any way that the stories are alike?” (Referring to the Greek Myth of Pygmalion and the Story of Gepetto and Pinocchio.) A list can be made on the blackboard, equating events in Pinocchio to events in Pygmalion:
|
Pygmalion
|
Pinocchio
|
|
Sculptor
|
Wood Carver
|
|
Clay
|
|
Wood
|
|
Not living at first
|
Not living at first
|
|
Acquires life
|
Acquires life
|
The point here is to get across the idea that Authors can tell the same story, with the same message by varying the details, characters and settings—but ultimately both stories are the same.
