Writing and Deconstruction of Classical Tales

MANUELI

Deconstruction as a Reaction to Structuralism

Structuralism first emerged in France in the 1950s and generally pertained to the idea of understanding the world in structures: relationships
between categories and subcategories, whole and parts (Mambrol, 2016). It initially functions as a linguistic principle used to explain the
relationship between language and culture and was introduced by the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure. However, this theory found its way into
literary criticism through the works of the French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss (www.britannica.com), Based on the concept of Strauss,
particular ideas belong to a more extensive structure to which they can be categorized or identified. Structuralists explain that it is human nature to
reduce complex concepts into systems and categories depending on how a person perceives such structures (Mambrol, 2016). It aims to unlock the
universal principles to which human reacts and conforms. Strauss believed that these systems and structures are constant and collective. Hence, in
the study of literature, the process begins with pointing out the characteristics of a literary piece and proceeds to classifying the text to which
category or system it belongs. It seeks to find unity and coherence in the elements and parts of the literature and toward a larger external
structure.

Strauss applied the structuralist principle in his study of the world's different mythologies. In his study, he found that these mythologies are similar
in many things, and thus he sought to categorize and organize these into meaningful Structures. It resulted in the development of the concept of a
binary opposition which indicates that the oppositional relationship of two words or ideas determines the meaning of each. Examples of these are
light/dark, high/low, happy/sad, beautiful/ugly, and life/death. These binary oppositions indeed illustrate a hierarchy where one is considered
superior or much preferred over the other. The structuralist concept seeks to find certainty and definite relationships among concepts in the
literary text.

Deconstruction is a reaction toward the concepts and definitive nature of the structuralist principle. Jacques Derrida initially introduced the
concept of deconstruction in literature, intending to expose and undermine the embedded Western ideas in many literary texts. However, it later
developed into a method of reading a literary piece and a theory for literary criticism. It challenges the structuralist theory for its dependence on
the language systems as a perfect instrument for determining limitations, coherence, and definitive meanings of a literary piece.

MARTINEZ

There are three procedures in Derrida's deconstructive literary criticism:

1. inverting the hierarchy:

2. deconstructing firmly definitive limitations or margins; and

3. analysis of inherent rhetoricity.

The first one is a means to destabilize existing binary oppositions in particular literary pieces. Challenging the existing definitive binaries is essential
in this operation. It undergoes the process of reversal and proceeds to the process of highlighting the instability of the hierarchy. It unfolds by
emphasizing that one term is not always superior over or inferior to the other.

The second procedure means avoiding any impulse to categorize a specific literary work in any particular pattern, system, or rule. The
deconstruction theory indicates the dismantling of the present social or cultural structure, not constructing new meanings of literary pieces on top
of these structures. It is about establishing the inconsistent features and elements of the literary piece.

The third operation is complex since it somehow means exploring and challenging the existing binaries by unraveling possibilities that undermine
the definitive divisions of the opposing concepts. As an example, Derrida takes on the binary opposition of literal/metaphor. People view metaphor
merely as an alternative for expressing literal concepts; however, metaphor is a creative manner of expressing literal meanings. This process is the
inversion of the hierarchy. Rhetoricity unfolds when considering the possibility that literal meanings were once metaphors that neutralized over
time and lost creativity.

Moreover, Derrida describes his process as double reading, and for a good reason. It begins with reading the literary piece intelligibly as it
stimulates the recognition of determinate meanings presented in the text. It serves as a springboard of critical reading where one reverses the
hierarchy and explores every possibility of meanings until it arrives at an aporia - which pertains to a situation where the explorations of meanings
arrive at a deadlock (Abrams, 1999)

In one way or another, it illustrates the dynamism of human language and the essence of human experience in literature thandt is difficult to
interpret these through determinative and conclusive readings.
POLICARPIO

Rewriting/Deconstruction of Classical Tales

As a form of literary criticism, deconstruction addresses the political and social issues surrounding several book challenges among children and
adolescent literary pieces. As a review, conservative groups, minority groups, or individuals challenge certain books based on culturally or socially
offensive content, brutal and violent matters. Hence, the conduct of the censorship process, later paved the formulation of the Political Correctness
(PC) ideology.

Censorship works effectively on pieces of literature that display brutality. violence, and obscenity. Stakeholders and censors collectively decide
when it comes to these apparent matters. Authorities immediately process these challenged books for restriction or banning based on the decision
reached. However, other book or literature challenges stem from social and political issues that vary culturally.

Political Correctness is more than censorship. It sought to eliminate existing political and social biases deemed to be offensive to any minority
group. It was a good cause, but, over time, its implementation has gone overboard. It instead focused on formulating several unnecessary
terminologies to hide or alter words deemed insulting or damaging (Kinsler, 1995). Like, leprosy was later named Hansen's disease, while short
people are called vertically challenged individuals. Imagine reading the story of Rumplestiltskin described as vertically challenged. The PC
movement believed that these would help eliminate the tone of discrimination. Many considered this step unnecessary or absurd because it still
refers to and means the same thing no matter how they change the name.

In some situations, authorities censor obscene or offensive content by altering the words to promote political correctness and thus destroying the
aesthetics of the text. One example is the rewriting of parts of Shakespeare's Hamlet, where the author Thomas Bowdler changed Ophelia's suicide
into an illustration of accidental drowning. The implementation of the Political Correctness ideology has gone to extremes that it went downhill
towards hiding the truth among young readers, making them ignorant about the absurdities, violence, discrimination, and other problems in the
real world. It seems to deny the existence of these problems instead of making every child informed and aware. There might not even be a need to
change these since very young children would never be accustomed to reading Shakespeare's works.

One popular topic of Political Correctness is gender bias, influenced by the existing structure that the society created and observed. There seems to
be a constant struggle between femininity and masculinity, male and female, and man and woman. Feminists feel the need to empower women,
and it led to propositions of changing gender-biased words to neutral terminologies like man and woman transformed to a person while mother
and father to parents. Nevertheless, however they change the name, it does not change the essence of the word and does not, in any way,
empower the women minority. The failed attempt at the Political Correctness ideology inspired the comedian James F. Garner to publish the book
Politically Correct Bedtime Stories. Despite its purpose of highlighting the tragedy of the PC ideology, this published book is no more than a parody
of the original bedtime stories. Even though it seeks to extinguish the target issues of the original text and the PC ideology, its meaning is
dependent on the original book. Individuals who have not read the original book will never understand the significance of the parody in the new
book. It is no deconstruction, but rather a mere reversion of the characters and their distinguishing characteristics. Even bestowing masculine
characteristics or attitudes to female characters does not empower women; instead, it makes the woman a poor version of a man (Hourihan,
1997).

Deconstruction does not stop at pointing out binary oppositions and inverting the values and meanings; it advances towards exploring countless
interpretations at every rhetoricity of the context. Gender bias is one of the things that deconstruction seeks to dismantle to foster growth and
development in meaning-making and perceiving the world.

The way classical tales portray or present women has persisted for decades, mainly on how princesses always need saving and how beauty goes
with the excellent character (www.bbc.com). Tales present women as weak and passive, incapable of defending themselves, and great at
possessing exceptional beauty. Many even accuse the concept of beauty propagated in the tales as the contributing factor to the insecurities
among young adults nowadays (www.bbc.com). This instance exemplifies how children's classical tales provide readers with a social structure
about the meaning of beauty, the essence of a woman, and the role of women in society. These seem definitive and hierarchical and promote
stereotyping. However, the incessant demands of feminist groups worldwide led to reimagining the character and role of women in the modern
culture of the current society, thus presenting the need to deconstruct and rewrite these literary texts. Deconstructive criticism of classical tales
provides an opportunity of exploring rhetoricity that provides refreshing possibilities or truth. It is a vehicle in rewriting and reinventing classical
tales to suit the beliefs and culture of modern society. In this instance, the changing social and political structures in the new version of the
literature become a credible demonstration of the ever-changing realities of the world.
MANALOTO

Moving Pictures as a New Resource of Learning, Extending the Reach of Censorship

Internet and digital transformation, particularly its visual nature, influenced the course of the educational system. The Philippines, for one,
acknowledges this revolution, thus including viewing it as the fifth language skill in the new language curriculum framework. Viewing includes
activities that involve comprehending and analyzing visual media, including moving pictures such as television and film It is a fact that children and
adolescents alike enjoy these forms of technology. Hence, learning about the favorite classical tales is no longer limited to reading books; these are
now available through viewing televisions and films.

Regarding the value of film as another form of resource for learning: in the new generation, as were books, authorities felt the need to extend the
application of censorship. It started in the United States when the Supreme Court decided to ban The Miracle- a film by Roberto Rosselini - for its
heretical content.

Different countries in the global community establish censorship committees tasked to censor different film productions intended for cinemas. The
film is quite a big industry that reaches a significant audience varied in age and gender. Censoring films means restricting the viewing of these
media for specific age groups, and observing the level of maturity of these particular audiences in cinemas. Aside from this, the censorship
committee's decision may vary subject to the community's valued culture and traditions. In worst cases, when films are guilty of having extremely
inappropriate content, this is completely banned from the country, and authorities deny the film production company the opportunity for showing
on their big screen.

It currently happened in Malaysia when the government decided to ban the showing of Disney's live- culture a country known to value Islamic
action film Beauty and the Beast for its LGBTQ+ implications and content. The government authorities regarded the content as offensive to their
religious beliefs.

MALIWAT

Rewriting the Classical Tales on the Big Screen

The development of technology presents the opportunity of rewriting the favorite classical tales in motion pictures and film. Walt Disney Company
is one prominent entity in such an industry.

It started with their retelling of the Brothers Grimm's The Little Snow White through an animated cartoon film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in
1937. They have rewritten the story in a manner that would be acceptable, romantic, and enchanting to young audiences. Instead of the biological
mother inflicting harm on her child Snow White because of jealousy, the film had a wicked stepmother who is a witch to take its place. Also, instead
of the queen disguising three times, bringing poisonous objects - lace, comb, and apple to harm her child, the wicked witch in the film only
disguised once to poison Snow White with an apple, Lastly, instead of the prince's subordinate accidentally reviving Snow White by hitting her back,
making her spit out the piece of the apple that got stuck to her throat, the film showed how the prince's true love's kiss brought Snow White back
to life. The film eliminated the disturbing content about a mother hurting her child and the brutality of the subordinate who intentionally hit a body
after he grew tired of carrying the coffin around the prince's palace. The industry made sure that the film would be suitable for all ages. Several
other animated films followed, including The Ugly Duckling, Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs, and many others animated films.

Over time, as technology advances, the industry ventures at producing modern three. dimensional animated films. The company produced the
story of Tangled 2010, which is again an inspiration drawn from the Brother Grimm collection of fairy tales. Considering the years that have passed,
feminist movements at this time of film production have already established influence and inspired changes in women's image in society. These led
to the deconstruction and rewriting of Rapunzel's story, which suits the culture of modern The film's production team entirely removed the
Brothers Grimm's illustration of premarital sex between Rapunzel and the prince, the prince's suicidal attempt, and Rapunzel's banishment into the
wilderness where she gave birth to twins and lived a miserable life with them for years, Instead of a woman who lived on accepting her miserable
life, Disney's Tangled presents a woman who knows what she wants, is determined, takes risks, is resourceful, possesses magical powers, and is
capable of defending herself.

PEREZ

Recently, the company produced live-action films of their animated classical tales in the past. These include Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast.
They presented a deconstruction of the characters' relationships and personalities in the film.

The Cinderella film presented the evil stepmother in a different light, exposing her frustration and pains as a victim of the patriarchal society of the
time. Her struggle exhibited her humanity and enriched the content of the film. Also, a black actor portrays the role of the prince's most trusted
captain - a demonstration of embracing cultural diversity in the film. Finally, the film presents Cinderella as a person who is brave enough to remain
kind despite her adversities and can communicate her belief in the essence of kindness. The film integrated touches of modern structure and
culture into the classical tale.

The live-action film Beauty and the Beast presented a modern deconstruction of Belle's character, a modern culture that they successfully infused
in the story's old setting. Belle shows her love for reading and her passion for teaching girls to read. Her role is essential in assisting and supporting
her father. She is intelligent, strong-willed, selfless, brave, and caring. Her character completely deviates from the existing social structure of their
time. Aside from that, the film incorporates the story of the death of Belle's mother. Finally, the film also exhibited cases of LGBTQ+, which led to
controversies and the banning of the film in conservative countries such as Malaysia. Despite incorporating contemporary social issues in the film
to make people aware of this reality, there are still cases of censorship driven by religious beliefs, to which these people possess the right to deny
the showing of the film.

Finally, Maleficent is Disney's most modem and creative rewriting of their previous animated film Beauty and the Beast. The tale unfolds from the
perspective of Princess Aurora. Despite the film being titled the name of the once-evil fairy in the animated film, Aurora remains one of the main
characters with much significance. The film portrayed the strength of Aurora's character even when maintaining the feminine traits of the princess.
It also presented Maleficent in a different light, where she became both the villain and hero in the tale. Deconstruction of Maleficent's character
presents the possibility of her kind nature being 1 fairy. The film showed Maleficent's origin and the events in her life, which led her to wish the
baby Aurora a curse. The film successfully illustrated the reality and nature of every being that no one is purely evil or good only that of one's
decisions in life. The surprising twist in the film was that of the true love's kiss, which did not come from Prince Philip, but instead Was from
Maleficent herself. Again, deconstruction explored and dismantled the romantic nature of true love's kiss to give way for another genuine type of
love. Also, it illustrates two complex kinds of beauty among women through Aurora and Maleficent, how each has her unique strengths and
weaknesses.

ORAYE

Conclusion

Political Correctness (PC) ideology means to nurture the rights and significance of every minority group or individual impacted by any socially e
politically offensive content found in many children and adolescents’ literature. As ideal is its purpose, it would generally be nearly impossible to
prevent all forms of discrimination, for as varied as the culture of people, so are their reactions to the distinct literature of children and
adolescents.

The value of literature lies in its being a significant source of learning life lessons and language. Hence, the purpose of children and adolescents’
literature is to inform young individuals about the realities of the world and not hide it. As Anne Carroll Moore once advised, it is about choosing
the appropriate book for a particular child at the perfect timing. There is more to these pieces of literature than just tackling issues of Political
Correctness/Political Incorrectness. It is about illustrating the complex realities of the natural world in the pages of books and the screen of
cinemas.