BRIAR ROSE: ADMIRATION

In Briar Rose by Jane Yolen, the theme of admiration is quite obvious and notable. During the first few chapters of the story, Becca, one of the three granddaughters of Gemma’s, falls in love with the story Sleeping Beauty and always tries to make Gemma do the storytelling about that. Gemma’s version of Sleeping Beauty, however, is largely different from the normal version. In chapter 5, Becca  invites one of her best friends Shirley come to the house and lets Gemma tell the story of Sleeping Beauty. Shirley seems to be terrified when she finds that Gemma is telling a different version because it’s weird for her. Becca, however, tries to defend her grandma: “that’s how it goes in this house...and if you don’t like it, you’re not my best friend any more.”

The theme of admiration is pretty obvious here: Becca’s homage and admiration for Gemma are revealed during the first chapters. In addition, Becca’s sisters, whose names are Shana and Sylvia, do not like the story at all, which proves the uniqueness of this relationship of homage and admiration between Becca and Gemma. When Becca wants her grandma to tell the story of Sleeping Beauty, her two sisters behave like they hate the story very much and run away. Becca, who is driven by her own admiration for Gemma, makes her tell the story over and over again.

In chapter 4, Gemma makes Becca make the promise of looking for the castle. Though this request is extremely unrealistic and ridiculous, Becca still believes in her grandma and keeps her promise to find the castle. That will be another persuasive evidence showing the admiration. Gemma is seems to be the mentor of Becca’s; Becca greatly admires her and she shapes Becca’s personalities and characters.

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