Thumbelina story
Thumbelina, a girl the size of a human thumb, embarks on a great adventure in the big wide world. Starring Carrie Fisher as Thumbelina, William Katt as the Flower Prince, Burgess Meredith as Mr. Mortimer Mole, Donovan Scott as Herman Toad, and Conchata Ferrell as Thumbelina's Mother. Narrated by David Hemmings. Written by Maryedith Burrell. Directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg.
16 total · 1 choice · 4 major · 11 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| people should stick to their own kind | choice | This is a moral of the story according to fairy tale researchers and folklorists Iona and Peter Opie. The story has been interpreted as an allegory about people trying to get above their station by mingling with their social betters. In particular, the lower classes (i.e. the animals) should not deign to mingle with higher class beings like humans. |
| arranged marriage | major | Efforts were made to coerce Thumbelina into tying the knot with the boorish old Mr. Mole. |
| coping with being lost | major | Thumbelina wandered the big wide world, not knowing how to get home. |
| Lilliputian being | major | The titular Thumbelina was about thumb tall young girl. |
| mother and daughter | major | Thumbelina longed to be reunited with her mother, and in the end she was. |
| compassion | minor | The field mouse took pity on a freezing cold Thumbelina and invited her to winter with him in his burrow. Thumbelina took compassion on a badly injured swallow and nursed it back to health. |
| coping with a loved one being missing | minor | Thumbelina's mother was worried over the girl's sudden disappearance. |
| dream walking | minor | We heard that the Flower Prince had the ability to enter people's dreams. |
| helping a stranger in need | minor | The field mouse invited Thumbelina to winter in his burrow upon finding her trying to survive the elements. |
| human vs. captivity | minor | Mother Toad kidnapped Thumbelina and ever so briefly imprisoned her on a lily pad. |