Animal+Transformations+in+Traditional+and+Children's+Literautre

Kristen Smith Michael Smith Holley Stillman Zack Taylor
 * Group Members:**


 * Starting Points to Consider:**
 * What is a werewolf? What are the origins of the werewolf? (The lunacy/moon connection, for example.) How does one become a werewolf and hat happens as one transforms? What are some ways a werewolf can be killed?


 * What are some of the underlying fears (think psychological analysis) of werewolves? What is the significance behind the transformation—what does it mean about one’s true “inner self”?


 * Where can you find werewolves in modern texts, films, music, pop culture?


 * What other kinds of animal transformation are common in literature (for children, such as fairy tales, but also teens and adults)?


 * Which characters are werewolves in Harry Potter? How are they treated, and how do they treat others? What allusions are there to prejudice and discrimination regarding the werewolf character(s)?

A werewolf is most often thought to be a mythical creature that is human by day and werewolf by night. Full moons are often times linked to werewolves as is witchcraft and potions. Although the werewolf is often times linked to full moons, it seems to be more for dramatic effect than anything because "real" werewolves can change voluntarily, the moon holding no real power to their transformation. Early Romania and Greek sources tell the story in which King Lycaeon was transformed into a werewolf when it was discovered that he served gods with human flesh. Cannibalism was very frowned upon and King Lycaeon served the gods to test if they were truly gods. When the gods found out about their tainted dish, they punished the King by transforming him. ([] Work in progress. Feel free to update/edit/change information.)

The significance of the transformation lies in the before and after, from man to beast. The process is a symbol of "letting out your inner beast," it is something we can all relate to, as we arguably all have some degree of what a werewolf represents that we carry around internally. The difference mainly lies within the inability to control this transformation, and that a werewolf is the literal interpretation of one's inner-beast coming to life. Most of the fear regarding werewolves comes from the typical fear of a monster, and something "magical" taking place. It is unnatural for a seemingly normal person to be able to transform into another creature, which adds even more fear to the seemingly vicious and terrifying transformation that takes place. The main underlying fear, however, lies in the fact that werewolves can be any normal person in daylight. It would be possible for any person one would pass on the street to turn into a werewolf once there is a full moon (depending on which story is read), and furthermore the notion that we ourselves could one day be a werewolf. It is similar to the fear of witches in the 17th century.(feel free to edit)