Briar Rose: traditional narrative and cultural significance

What is the moral of the story “Briar Rose?”
Why do you think it was a frog that delivered the news of the blessing that the queen would receive her wish of having a child?
If the wise women in the kingdom are so wise, then why are they also vindictive, with one of them willing to place a spell on an innocent child just for not being invited to the party?
Does the thirteenth wise woman act only out of vengeance, or do you believe she may also be jealous? Why?
What is the significance of the princess having to turn 15? Is Briar Rose a coming-of-age story?
Time stands still for a hundred years, and in truth no one in the castle actually suffers as a result of the curse. What exactly makes the 100-year sleep a curse?
What is the significance of the spindle and the act of spinning?
The growth of the hedges keeps away suitors from the sleeping princess, thereby protecting her. What is the significance of this imagery?
Do you think the prince who is successful at waking Briar Rose simply has good timing, given the spell was about to break anyway, or do you think he has a special touch that makes him uniquely suitable for waking her?
The princess’s main feature is her beauty; what does this say about the value and role of women in the society depicted in the story?
Tying the Reader to the Story
“Briar Rose” became the popular story of “Sleeping Beauty.” What differences between these two stories do you notice?
What do you think “Briar Rose” says about the role of women in society?
Does the story of Briar Rose translate to other cultures? Is it a universal tale?
Do you know of anyone who reminds you of the old woman, the 13th wise woman? What about Briar Rose, or her parents?
Do you think the king and queen believed in the curse, and if so, why did they do nothing to stop it?
If you were to change the story of Briar Rose in any way, what would you change?
If you were one of the other wise woman, what would you have done better to reverse the curse?
Tell the backstory of the thirteenth wise woman, the one who curses Briar Rose.
How would the story change if the princess was not beautiful, but had some other characteristic?
How does this story make you feel?
If you had to rewrite the story for a modern audience, how would you retell it?
Quotes
“There were thirteen of them in his kingdom, but because he had only twelve golden plates from which they were to eat, one of them had to remain at home.” (significance of the numbers)
“Round about the castle a thorn hedge began to grow, and every year it became higher, until it finally surrounded and covered the entire castle. Finally nothing at all could be seen of it, not even the flag on the roof.” (symbolism of the growth of hedge)
“Legends also told that from time to time princes came, wanting to force their way through the hedge into the castle. However, they did not succeed, for the thorns held firmly together, as though they had hands, and the young men became stuck in them, could not free themselves, and died miserably.” (the curse is protecting the girl’s innocence)
“However much the good old man tried to dissuade him, the prince would not listen to his words.” (the prince must be persistent)
“Everyone was horrified, and the twelfth wise woman, who had not yet offered her wish, stepped forward. Because she was unable to undo the wicked wish, but only to soften it, she said, "It shall not be her death. The princess will only fall into a hundred-year deep sleep.” (the 13th woman acts in a deviant manner)
“Now it happened that on the day when she turned fifteen years of age the king and the queen were not at home, and the girl was all alone in the castle. She walked around from one place to the next, looking into rooms and chambers as her heart desired.” (coming of age)
“"What is that thing that is so merrily bouncing about?" asked the girl, taking hold of the spindle, for she too wanted to spin.” (curiosity gets the better of her; that which is forbidden is more tempting)
“A legend circulated throughout the land about the beautiful sleeping Little Brier-Rose, for so the princess was called.” (the power of rumor and public opinion)
“The hundred years had just passed, and the day had come when Little Brier-Rose was to awaken. When the prince approached the thorn hedge, it was nothing but large, beautiful flowers that separated by themselves, allowing him to pass through without harm, but then behind him closed back into a hedge.” (his timing was right)
“There she lay and was so beautiful that he could not take his eyes off her. He bent over and gave her a kiss. When he touched her with the kiss Little Brier-Rose opened her eyes, awoke, and looked at him kindly.” (he kisses her while she is sleeping; is this a violation?)





Works Cited
Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm. “Little Briar Rose.” https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm050.html