MODULE 2: THE ROUGH FACE GIRL

1. Bibliography
Martin, Rafe. 1992. THE ROUGH-FACE GIRL. Ill. by David Shannon. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0399218599

2. Plot Summary
On the shores of Lake Ontario, a young girl lives with her father and her two cruel older sisters. The older sisters force their younger sister to sit near and feed the fire. This action has caused her to be burned and scarred. Most of the women who live in this village, including the two older cruel sisters, want to marry the rich, powerful, and handsome Invisible Being. However, the Invisible Being will only marry the one woman who can see him. The two older sisters use all of the family’s meager monies in an attempt for one of them to impress the Invisible Being and become his bride. However, the Invisible Being’s sister proves that they cannot see him, and their attempt is rejected. The Rough-Face Girl goes to the Invisible Being’s wigwam so that she can marry him. She sees his bow is made of the rainbow and his sled runners are made of stars. The sister of the Invisible Being takes the Rough-Face Girl to a lake where her scars are healed. The Rough-Face Girl and the Invisible Being are married and live forever together.

3. Critical Analysis
The Rough-Face Girl is an Algonquin Indian Cinderella variation. The main character is undeserving of the life she must live yet in the end she conquers over her captors. This variation is a classic version of the tale. The younger sister is good and pure while her older sisters are selfish and vile. Their attempts at happiness are thwarted, and the young good sister finds love in the arms of a powerful ruler.
This variation does differ from the more well known versions of the story. In this tale, the Rough-Face Girl does not live with her step-mother and step-sisters. She lives with her father and two biological sisters. The father gives into the older sisters’ demands for clothing and jewelry. He has nothing left when his youngest makes her requests but seems genuinely sorry of this. The father seems to be a captive of the older sisters, in a similar manner as the Rough-Face Girl. Also, the fate of the older sisters is never exposed. The Rough-Face Girl marries, and the story ends. The revenge exacted on the cruel sisters, which is seen in other variations, does not materialize here.
In this tale, the Rough-Face Girl wins the right to be the Invisible Being’s wife before her appearance is magically transformed. In other variations, a fairy godmother or some type of magic transforms Cinderella prior to meeting her prince. Also, the heroine is not separated from her true love after they find happiness. There is no “glass slipper” type search. Once she has proven her worth, she lives happily ever after.
This fairy tale contains all the necessary elements of a classic folktale. Most of the characters are archetypal. The only character that is ambiguous is the father. One is not sure whose side he is on. The plot is simple and direct. There are no twists or convoluted series of events. The action begins quickly. All description of the characters is embedded in their actions and in the illustrations. The story ends happily with the Rough-Face Girl marrying and leaving her life of servitude.
The story of Cinderella, in many forms, will consistently appeal to children. In this current time, “Happily ever after” is a rare ending in real life. Fairy tales are a great escape. This particular variation would appeal more to older elementary age children. This assessment is mainly due to the illustrations. They are not the bright colored, flamboyant pictures associated with preschool through second grade reading material.
The illustrations in THE ROUGH FACE GIRL are phenomenonal. All of the illustrations have a hazy appearance. This makes them seem like a dream. The faces of the characters are distinct but not incredibly detailed. David Shannon also chose his color use wisely. Many of the illustrations are dominated by various shades of brown and tan. The color that he splashes in is eye catching. Chairoscuro is used in several of the illustrations also. This creates such an interesting contrast visual effect. The eyes are drawn to the details in the light and lost in the dark.
The illustration of the Rough-Face Girl bathing in the lake is one of the most beautiful. It is one of the most crisp and detailed pictures in the book. The figure is surrounded by light and is cleansed of all of her scars. One could imagine that these include her physical and emotional scars. The happiness and contentment of the heroine is evident. If the reader listens closely, singing may be heard. It is an illustration of a freed person. It is beautiful.
The final illustration of the book moves back into the dream-like state as the new couple lives “together in gladness and were never parted.” This illustration seems to reiterate the dream to the reader. Fulfilling the dream is the conclusion to every fairy tale.

4. Review Excerpts

Winner of Georgia Children’s Picture Storybook Award - 1994Winner of Golden Sower Award - 1994

From PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “The drama of these haunting illustrations--and of Martin's …respectful retelling--produce an affecting work”

From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This is a splendid read-aloud… Shannon's finely crafted full- and double-page acrylic paintings in the rich hues of the earth embody the full flavor of the story.”

5. Connections
Site about the tribe that this variation derived from:
Facts for Kids: Algonquin Indians (Algonquins)

Students could read at least two other Cinderella variations and could then complete a Venn diagram regarding the tales.

Students could write own Cinderella variation based in present time and in their current location.

David Shannon interview
http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/shannon