A is for Aurore (Fantastic Female)

We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is “Fantastic Females in Folk & Fairy Tales.”

About Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont:

Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont wrote many fairy tales with this featured one called “Aurore and Aimée.” She first published in 1748. Do you know the story “Beauty and the Beast?” Her version of that story was published in 1756. She had two women mentors (who happened to be rich) named Emilie du Chatelet and Francoise de Graffigny who also published books. Jeanne-Marie encouraged women to ask for their rights. Most likely, much of that came from the support of those two women.

50-word-or-less summary

Aurore blamed God when abandoned. Shepherdess found and taught her. Prince fell in love with Aurore’s kindness. King threatened to marry her if she was beautiful. Aurore fell, scratched face. Married prince. Son! Vanished! Another king found/raised son. Lost again! Raised by pirate. Shipwrecked. Aurore found son. Praised God!

Finding the Story: 

Translated into English (from French) – The Fairy-Book – here

French e-book Aurore et Aimée – here

Wikipedia listing for “Aurore and Aimée” – here

Finding the “Fantastic”:

First, the author is a fantastic female, Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont. Having a woman publish in the 1700s is already impressive.

As for Aurore, the character, she has an inside-out personality. Her kindness naturally brings out her beauty. Yes, Aurore complained more than once about circumstances in her life and blamed God. Anyone could take that path, especially when trying to be an empathic human being only to have several people take advantage of this trait. Aurore almost wasn’t chosen for this A to Z Blog Challenge…but it was the message that the Shepherdess kept teaching that finally was embraced by Aurore: that trials and hardships could be fortunate in another point of view.

Finally, the Shepherdess was absolutely fantastic. She saw this struggling young woman and used her life experiences and wisdom to guide and mentor this person. Otherwise, Aurore could not have gotten to that “fantastic” level. She would have been on the “good” level though missed her potential to be “fantastic.” It’s amazing how anytime we think of someone as excelling in one area or another, that person has one or more mentors.

Recommended Article:

Let’s look at that female mentor power. Check out this article entitled “5 Famous Female Mentor-Mentee Relationships You Should Know About” written by Dulcie Barnes.

Thoughts?

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As for our past A to Z Challenges…

Story Crossroads celebrates the hybrid Summit & Festival on May 13-16, 2024 – yes, in-person and virtual – and would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival

Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; and people like you.