I truly love the characterization of fairytales here, and the ways in which ALL the characters are boring. Except the peasant girls. And I guess Helena never noticed that they won the only prize available in their time.
The four elements as invisible cities was a neat touch, too. Though I'd be interested to see anyone try to locate Atlantis to visit it. :D
I love the idea of the invisible cities and the places you tied them too! Also, I adore the adultness of the conversation between mom and daughter. I think the only thing I'm confused about is there are 5 merchants but only 4 cities?
In some traditions, the elements are represented as Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit - so shouldn't there be an element/city for Spirit as well? It would tie in better to having 5 merchants...
The specifics of the metaphor are hard to cram into a kids story and keep it light, so I will be expanding on it in the future... somehow.
Cliff Note's version: The theme is exploration; therefore the elements reflect the four points of the compass you'd use to navigate the world or cast a sacred circle, and the five merchants represent the five nations that initially settled the Americas (the Spanish, the Portuguese, the English, the French, and the Dutch).
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The four elements as invisible cities was a neat touch, too. Though I'd be interested to see anyone try to locate Atlantis to visit it. :D
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In some traditions, the elements are represented as Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit - so shouldn't there be an element/city for Spirit as well? It would tie in better to having 5 merchants...
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Cliff Note's version: The theme is exploration; therefore the elements reflect the four points of the compass you'd use to navigate the world or cast a sacred circle, and the five merchants represent the five nations that initially settled the Americas (the Spanish, the Portuguese, the English, the French, and the Dutch).
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