Puss in boots (extrs credit lesgooooo)

4 1 0

by idsinjas000

by idsinjas000

Jasmine Idsinga and Danica Wyenberg Mr. Anderson
English 1
September 13th, 2022
̈Fake It Till You Make It ̈ The Theme of Puss in Boots
Puss in Boots, does anyone remember that old fairytale style story? It was written by Charles Perrault (the same author who wrote Cinderella!) in 1860. Since then, it has become a classic bedtime story. In this book, a devious cat gifted to the youngest son of a deceased miller brings riches and royalty to him with his use of ambition, persistence, and craftiness. Most reactions from kids, when hearing this particular storyare: "He's a Marquis now! He ended up getting the coolest present! Puss is so smart!" Even though these are valid reactions, they are a little shallow. Although the popularity of Puss in Boots, or the Master Cat, dwindles as the audience grows up, if an older age range reads the story, reactions change, and usually require more thought. Some common reactions to Puss in Boots at an older age would be, "They completely lied about everything! What happens if they're found out? The Marquis of Carabas seems a bit daft, how will his new wife and subjects cope with him as their respective husband and ruler?" Which are more realistic and accurate than the earlier reactions. Going through this text with a more mature literature and world view, we discover the overall theme of the story.
In a brief summary of the Master Cat by Charles Perrault, a story in which the cunning cat Puss ends up being the greatest gift of all, shows the theme of "fake it 'til you make it," which emerges in a sudden meet with the King, is shaped by the smooth lie the cat tells him, and
Idsinga and Wyenberg, 1

is refined by the narration of the characters morphing to fit the lie.
The theme of "fake it 'til you make it" begins to emerge when Puss ventures to the
King's palace. As Perrault writes, "Proud of his prey, he went with it to the palace, and asked to speak with the King. He was shown upstairs into his Majesty's apartment, and, making a low bow to the King, he said ..." (114) This is when the reader begins to wonder what is up with this cat. Already, Puss has asked for boots and a bag, foreshadowing an idea of a bigger plan for the future. A miller's cat with a strange intelligence. Why on earth would Puss go to the King? The author had previously made a point of the son's status: a poor child of a deceased miller, only inheriting a scraggly cat in his father's demise. Yet Puss brings the King his prey (a rabbit), and, it can be deduced, a story to accompany his offering. We know of Puss's craftiness and intelligence, so we can expect a tall tale reflecting on this, and bringing about the emergence of the theme "fake it 'til you make it."
Later on in Perrault's Master Cat, he shapes and defines a little more about the theme. "I have brought you, sire, a rabbit which my noble Lord, the Marquis of Carabas" (for that was the title which Puss was pleased to give his master) "has commanded me to present to your Majesty from him." "Tell thy master," said the King, "that I thank him, and that I am pleased with his gift."" (Perrault 114) Okay, what? In just a few sentences, the story has completely turned around. With use of his silver tongue, Puss has transformed himself from a poor man's scraggly cat wearing old boots into an eloquent and humble servant of a noble. He has renamed his poor master as the Marquis of Carabas. The story intensifies. The King obviously buys this deceit, but how long will it last? This part of the tale has the readers beginning to ask questions, like, "What if this great plan fails?" "How will Puss and his master keep their cover alive?" "Will they be
Idsinga and Wyenberg, 2

thrown in prison for lying to the King?" So far, we have the first part of the theme shaped: "fake it!"
Finally, the theme "fake it 'til you make it" is refined by a literal representation of "'til you make it." In the beginning of Puss in Boots, Perrault makes a point of referring to the miller's son and Puss in narration as only names like "the youngest" (Perrault 113), "the Cat's master" (Perrault 113), and "the Cat" (Perrault 113). More so in the middle of the story, the names in narration shift, embodying the idea of "fake it 'til you make it." The names become things like "Lord Marquis of Carabas" (Perrault 116) and "the Master Cat" (Perrault 116). This is reflecting how Puss and the so-called Marquis are slowly becoming their lie and living up their tall-tale with no consequences. The last sentence of the Master Cat is "Puss became a great lord, and never ran after mice anymore except for his diversion." (Perrault 119) On the final page, there is an illustration of Puss, in his boots, lounging in luxury. If this is not a perfect representation and the refining of the theme "fake it 'till you make it," it's doubtful there is one.
As seen, Charles Perrault has expertly executed a theme in his story the Master Cat, first writing an intriguing emergence, then following with details that shape and refine the idea of "fake it 'til you make it." When his theme first begins to appear, Puss the cat has gone to the King with an offering, revealing the nose of a plan to riches and wealth. As Puss then lies to the King. This starts to sculpt and shape the idea of faking it - 'it' being a noble status. Finally, the theme is fully refined as the narration begins to change into their false given names and, in the end, Puss and the Marquis of Carabas live happily ever after in their blossoming lie. Whether this is a healthy theme to be teaching children or not, the Master Cat is a crystal clear representation of becoming the lie that falls from your tongue. So be careful what you lie about; not every
Idsinga and Wyenberg, 3

propaganda can end as glorifying as Puss's story. Works Cited
Perrault, Charles. "Wider Than the Sky." The Master Cat or Puss in Boots. Harcourt, Brace & World Inc., 1968, pp. 113-119.
Idsinga and Wyenberg, 4