top of page

Should a classic story ever be rewritten?

Mar 17

3 min read

1

5

0

Concerns have been raised by some regarding Disney’s new live-action “Snow White” film (directed by Marc Webb and written by Erin Cressida Wilson), which is a remake of the 1937 animated classic (itself based on the Brothers Grimm’s tale).


Many critics complain that classic stories are constantly being sanitized and politically corrected to appease a sensitive modern audience.


Such re-imaginings can have negative or disastrous consequences, as seen in the widespread backlash against Disney’s ill-advised use of A.I. generated dwarfs instead of their employment of ‘live action’ theatrical performers from the little people's community.


Should a classic story ever be rewritten?


Should a classic story ever be rewritten? The Sleeping Beauty by Sir Edward Burne-Jones  1890 Public Domain
Should a classic story ever be rewritten? The Sleeping Beauty by Sir Edward Burne-Jones 1890 Public Domain
Should a classic story ever be rewritten?

Manuscript revision and story-reframing aims to enhance a text, perhaps to refine its moral messaging, clarify and intensify the benefits of the story, and add elegance, drama, or clarity to an original work.


Texts always undergo phases of revision and adjustment. For instance, classic fairy tales, such as those collected by the Brothers Grimm, required translation from their original German. It’s important to note that the Grimm’s were story collectors, not story creators; they simply edited the myths and legends that they'd found and 're-packaged' them for the wider community.



Should a classic story ever be rewritten? Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm in an 1843 drawing by younger brother Ludwig Emil Grimm Public Domain
Should a classic story ever be rewritten? Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm in an 1843 drawing by younger brother Ludwig Emil Grimm Public Domain


Yet, constantly reworking a narrative might degrade the original’s quality, essence, and innovative spirit.


Reworking classic narratives requires critical judgment:


  • Vague ideas might be improved: but over-correction will dilute the messaging


  • Existing spelling, grammar, and punctuation may be updated to improve comprehension for a new generation, but any new language that's used might be less expressional, perhaps less ‘spiritual’


  • Better synonyms, fitting the context, might substitute original words or ideas but sometimes the common 'handed-down' inter-generational themes found in a classic story will bring familiarity and a sense of connectedness to the ‘age old’ notions expressed in the original text


  • Awkward phrasing or vocabulary might be reworded, but sometimes this re-phrasing becomes just as awkward as the original (for example substituting A.I. generated little people for authentic actors. Was there any point renewing it?



Should a classic story ever be rewritten?  The Grimms Little Red Riding Hood. An illustration by Arthur Rackham. Public Domain
Should a classic story ever be rewritten? The Grimms Little Red Riding Hood. An illustration by Arthur Rackham. Public Domain
While essential to good writing, rewriting isn’t the same as creating...

While essential to good writing, rewriting isn’t the same as creating or expressing oneself, or being perceptive, or being imaginative, or being spontaneous, or being playful with words and notions. Re-writing or ‘re-envisioning’ isn’t creative writing: re-envisioning is simply an act of editing.


A fresh perspective might refine or correct assumptions that were found in the original text, but would this editing be an improvement on the author’s original intent? A re-imagining of text that removes key elements from an original might damage or weaken the story.


New edits must balance a story’s original intent with necessary adjustments to ensure the desired outcome and expression are preserved.


A re-written work might be illegal: “No part of a work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage without the written permission of the author." So, before any reimagining begins, an editor must be quite sure that none of the reproduced ideas, motifs, plots, or reimagined characters infringe any copyright rules.


Re-imagining is key to the cyclical nature of storytelling...

Still, there are some advantages to re-working a classic tale:


Re-imagining is key to the cyclical nature of storytelling, like an elder retelling a familiar story around a campfire. Is it unreasonable for the elder to modify their story so it might align with their family’s narrative, their tribal traditions, their shared history, and their community norms? Perhaps re-imagining an ancient tale is vital for the tale’s duration of service.


Also, new editions of classic tales might reintroduce older works to new readers and encourage the re-reading of previously ignored literature.


What are your thoughts? Is rewriting classic stories ever justifiable? What do you think?

Mar 17

3 min read

1

5

0

Related Posts

Comments

Share Your ThoughtsBe the first to write a comment.
bottom of page