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...

bout 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…