Fairy tales in the Basque and European literature traditions. The case of Mari Xor (Cinderella)

Abstract

Based on both Basque and European texts, the aim is to situate the Basque folk tale in the European tradition in order to analyse and compare the different variants of the tales existing in both. This work is based on the research on one specific folk tale: Mari Xor or commonly known as Cinderella. Taking this text as a basis, on one the hand, the Basque versions have been compared to each other, and on the other hand, with other different versions in other European languages. We have focused mainly on four aspects: the general characteristics of the text, the events of the story, the features and characterisation of the characters, as well as the symbolism and imagery. The study shows that this tale is rooted in the Basque Country as well as in the tradition of our popular literature, but which is also universal. In this culture where oral tradition is stong, the variability of the texts is practically a characteristic on its own, but this has been precisely a guarantee of its continuity. While there are elements that remain unchanged, there are others that have been changing, and change itself has been a source of creativity.