Reading Notes: Arabian Nights Part B

Cartoon depiction of Disney's Aladdin: Source

       As I mentioned with Part A of the readings, I was really looking forward to reading the Arabian Nights stories specifically because of reading Aladdin. Much like many children, I got lost in the world of Aladdin as a kid, the whimsical magic, incredible visuals, and easy to follow storylines were perfected by Disney to deliver a wonderful children's movie. The stories that I read this week are no different. Getting lost in the world of Aladdin is not hard to do, the stories are so mesmerizing, reading scenes such as, "Aladdin found everything as the magician had said, gathered some fruit off the trees, and, having got the lamp, arrived at the mouth of the cave. The magician cried out in a great hurry: "Make haste and give me the lamp." This Aladdin refused to do until he was out of the cave. The magician flew into a terrible passion, and throwing some more powder on the fire, he said something, and the stone rolled back into its place" (Ford). Obviously, the book to movie adaptation changes, which is bound to happen. However, one thing that translates back into the story is the amazing whimsical magic. The story is so vivid it is difficult to separate one's self from the reading, while immersed in the literature. I have no complaints with this, each part of the story, all six parts of "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp" are chock full of adventure and storytelling. Like I mentioned in last week's reading notes, reading these stories sparked a child-like joy that I have not felt for literature in some time. Even though I had not read these stories, they felt almost nostalgic to be revisiting the story of Aladdin. In closing, I am grateful I got the opportunity to revisit these stories once more, to immerse myself in the exciting world of Aladdin and to go back on that journey once again. 

Bibliography: Arabian Nights.