Cripes! Is he a pretty boy or what??? OK - now that I've shared _that_ thought; on to some more...

I am 45 years old: a professional artist and storyteller. I am and have been for many years completely fascinated with myth, metaphor and allegory. I am a follower of the work of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell: a believer in the "collective conscious" that speaks to all beings on a deep unconscious level. I see ancient themes; archetypes: re-surfacing over and over in the myths and stories of cultures around the world thru time- they are seen again as well in the 10th Kingdom: carried forward into today's world.

    For the purpose of honesty and also because it colors all aspects of my life I will confess I practice an "alternative spirituality" that some at least of you will view as "pagan" I am part Irish and part Native American (Osage), and I follow a shamanistic sort of "medicine path" of spiritual thought. I have found incredible similarities in the practices and beliefs of the pre-Christian Celts and the Native Americans, and these speak to me as a cultural heritage. I see all biolgical entities on this planet as equals: animal (includes animals and humans: I see no basic difference) vegetable, mineral. I see the value of both the prey and predator. I don't see a problem with being "half animal" (In fact I see it as rather a pleaseant situation...as in the book where Wolf thinks of himself as an "enhanced human").It is the human prejudices that hurt the halfling: the same way they have hurt so many others (am I the only one who sees strong subtexts about racism in the 10th Kingdom story?).

        Ah yes; red-blooded females...I too am irresistably attracted to Wolf. He speaks particularly to me as an archetype that has been a powerful male presence for me all my adult life: he is a "walker between worlds" who has bodily access to animal power- a shamanic character really. I do see him as a reminder of a kind of male that would exist in an ancient pre-patriarchal culture: he sees the power of woman; acknowledges it; honors it. He does not wish to subjugate it. He also sees that as with any power this power can be misused and uses his wits to duck that: so as to honor another woman. I see much also of the trickster in Wolf (both the honorable and dishonorable side: as the trickster- Coyote in most Native American traditions- walks a balance between each so as to teach that balance): he is an awfully silly "wise fool" at times, and a master thief (from the book: "...the flowers he stole and the chocolates he stole..." I have no doubt that his myriad wardrobe changes were facilitated thru the checking of coat tracks and clotheslines for appropriate garb for whatever occasion presented itself!   I know the issue of "redemption" has been brought up when discussing the underlying themes found in the 10th Kingdom...but I don't see redemption for Wolf as becomming "not Wolf". If he became not Wolf he would cease to exist. And at the close of the story he hasn't given up being Wolf at all - he still has his Wolf pride ("That's Wolves for you: good guys!"), and his Wolf senses ("There's a little Wolf cub growing inside you: I can sense it."). He could not give up being Wolf for that is what gave him his nobility: it has indeed "enhanced" his humanity. Earlier in the tale, as he begins to feel love for the first time and encounters a few people who don't automatically mistreat him then he begins to feel guilt over past misdeeds. He sees that a "kill or be killed" attitude won't work anymore. I think that the redemption here is for everybody- as people begin to treat Wolf better, he begins to treat them better! They no longer want to kill wolves (scene at the end where Wendell pardons ALL wolves) so he no longer wants to consume them. This willingness on the part of the humans to meet him halfway enables him to finally drop his "kill or be killed" thinking. An end to racism as it were. A parting thought on Wolf: I see allusions to him having psychic ability above and beyond the Wolf senses, but this isn't really explored. I would argue that he is at the very least the most intuitive character in the story!

In the 10K book there are several scenes which I guess for reasons of lengthening the film didn't get included. One scene really stood out for me - After the magic axe has been used to cut off Virginia's cursed hair, Wolf tells Virginia and Tony that the axe has fullfilled it's purpose and should be left behind. And he conducts a little ceremony where they bury the axe and he says a little prayer to the nature spirits. None of this is in the film: in the film they just suddenly don't have the axe anymore! So - when I came across this scene in the book it was just so meaningful (personally moving for myself as well) and I immediately wondered WHY in the world it wasn't included in the movie! Because it sure tells one a lot about Wolf! And it actually feels so important to me that I have an inclination to believe it WAS filmed, and later cut. (I recall reading somewhere that Mr. Cohen was unhappy over some scenes of his that were cut.) Also the scene explains what happens to the magic axe...people have asked in several forums why the group didn't keep such a potent instrument! In this scene Wolf shows his wise side again when he explains that magic likes to travel and that therefore the axe is better "passed on" for others.....

Back to Wolf's prayer again: I see this as more evidence of his shamanic connection. He is praying to the other nature spirits: really they are his spiritual kin! He may well mention; "...those who appear to us in many guises..." after all he is one of "those" himself! A "walker between the worlds", as I mentioned in my other message. It's really a shamanic ceremony he's conducting here. This scene spoke volumes to me - it's the only overt display of spirituality in the whole story; it comes from Wolf - and they left it out!!!

We see so many many foods that are "watery" (juice; soup; punch;"swampwater", etc.) Metaphysically speaking, these represent the element water: the realm of the emotions...emotions are all over the place here! This is also the realm of love and of dreams: there's a tremendous amount of those here as well. (This all reminds me of the suit of cups in Tarot, whose element is water and which symbolizes emotion; devotion; love). I see this reflected really strongly in the dinner scene at the end where the fish is brought to Virginia. When she puts her fork into the fish, revealed there is the engagement ring Wolf threw into the river in dispair after Virginia rejected his first proposal. The fish is a messenger from the element water: bringing emotion; devotion and love (which she is STILL trying to dodge even at that late date!) right back to her: there's no way for her to avoid them this time!

On the other hand there is all that meat in the story: mostly found in conjunction with Wolf. Besides the obvious fact that he's a carnivore: the meat symbolizes for me getting to the "meat of an issue": the "heart of the matter". He "wears his heart on his sleeve" and with those teeth he is capable of "cutting thru" outer layers of things to get to the bones of what's at hand. These actions in conjunction with food for him symbolize I think what's also taking place mentally and emotionally inside of him.

I believe that food is more important than money for Wolf because in every animal culture other than the human one, food IS currency! He is much closer to the animal than his companions are and he has his priorities straight: he is sustaining Virginia: he's feeding her. He is providing for her at the most primal level: keeping her alive. (He's also attempting to show what a good mate he will be with these acts: providing her with delectables as animals constantly do for their mates and other members of their kinship group. My cats are _constantly_ bringing me the most yummy [in their opinion anyway] rats!) I feel Virgina's constant focus on "the money" shows her detachment from what's really important in the world: she does give food away to others (the old lady in the forest) but can't partake herself!

An idea on the punch Wolf serves at the Ball - I had the impression that somehow; out in the hall between the kitchen and the ballroom or somewhere - that he must've dumped that awful concoction and just substituted something (water? or could he have gotten to a wine cellar?) for it and he put the troll dust in the substitute. Because if he had just put troll dust in the poison drink it would have still been poison, I think. At any rate he had to be both tremendously clever and an incredible dissembler to pull that switch off...all the while "talking to himself" just audibly enough so those around him could hear, about how he would be chief of the Evil Queen's secret police! That takes guts!

First my bit on the wolves in _this_ world: my new home is just down the road from a wolf rescue place: the "Candy Kitchen Rescue Ranch"! I checked it out over last week when I was there...and I admit I asked about the "mating for life" thing myself! The women who run this ranch seem of the opinion that generally wolves DO mate for life: however there are the kind of exceptions that Keri mentioned occasionally. It does seem to be true that in most pair-bonds if something happens to one partner, there is a distinct possibility that the remaining partner will grieve him/herself to death (I'm reminded of the passsage in the book where Wolf feels his life is "worth nothing" after Virginia rejects him). I also learned that packs are family "kinship" groups and that there are bachelor "lone wolves". By the way if any of you are interested in this Ranch and it's laudable mission, they have a wonderful website at:

http://www.inetdesign.com/candykitchen/

Now on to _our_ Wolf! I think to an extent when Wolf mentions things that "wolves" do: he means himself! I really feel this where he says, "...wolfies just pretend to do naughty things...", for example. Perhaps his constant proclamation "Wolfs mate for life" refers to himself: HE intends (or is programmed in some way maybe?) to mate for life! Maybe it's his way of saying he's found his soulmate!

I am curious myself about where the "half-wolves" come from: is there a race of these beings...shaman-like in their ability to walk between worlds? Not really half of anything (as this implies something less than whole) but really a double being who is actually "twice" rather than "half". Or are the half-wolves born of one human parent and one wolf parent? Individuals who have perhaps risked all for love and broken the christian taboo (if it is present in their world) against "beastiality"? I also wonder if, whatever they were; Wolf's family was scattered against their wills somehow...in much the same way the families of black people were often broken up; sold separately, during the horrible times of slavery. Simon Moore does say in his interview that the sequel which he has apparently pretty much written explains some of this! I do hope so much for some form of sequel to get made: there is volumes more for Wolf to reveal about himself!

There's a bit of a contradiction between the book and the movie (at least if I'm reading it right) on how Wolf really feels about the moon. In the book he does call it the "evil moon" during the worst throes of his cycle, when he can't control himself. Of course in the book he turned into an actual 4-legged wolf too! In the movie he seems to love the moon more; calls it beautiful: is only terrified by it when the Evil Queen's face appears in it, if I recall correctly. (Which has nothing to do with any feelings he may have for the actual moon itself.) I have to admit that I like this version much better (I'm quite partial to the moon myself, as my name implies). And I love how in the film he becomes totally a wolf yet is in his man-form. A "doubled" creature again. There was a tremendous amount of sexual energy in this particular scene for me! Who among you out there can say you don't understand what Wolf _really_ means when he says in that husky voice, "I'll eat you up..."

I also think that he's not really agreeing to help the Queen after all when he is sitting on the ledge after Virginia's rejection - when he throws away the ring. I think he just is hurting and needs time to think and a quick agreement will get the Queen out of his hair for a while...

Somebody in a discussion group commented on... "The signifigance of Wolf's clothes. If you notice, he has more costumes than Virginia. I think his clothes kinda' underlie his transformation, so to speak."

       In some interview somewhere (sorry) Mr.Cohen said that Wolf could wear whatever clothes he wanted to whenever he wanted to, because it was a fantasy! And that would imply intention with every costume change: that's for sure! I think what he was wearing in prison was just whatever he was wearing when they brought him in (notice that not all of the prisoners wear uniforms), and we don't know the reason for that because it's outside this particular story. If you look closely though you'll note that the back of that jacket he's wearing has markings similar to a Wolf's pelt...that must be his hunting camoflauge, or something! I do think he acquires the clothes he wants or needs by stealing them mostly, because he's such a skillful thief (the book makes more of this than the film does). So he acquires a better jacket to look sharper in front of Grandma and Virginia. When they go back to the Kingdoms, he's added layers underneath that and it looks chilly there so he's dressed for warmth. The poet's shirt looks like something romantical to wear when one has a conversation with a lady.....I think the red shirt that he suddenly appears in, in Little Lamb Village is symbolic of passion, as he undergoes a "passion" of sorts. It's also symbolic of blood, as a lunar cycle is traditionally thought of as a "bleeding time", although unlike a female lunar cycle he isn't the one doing the bleeding: something else may bleed, though (at least the rabbit and the chickens)! Then yes, abruptly, when his cycle and "trials" are over, he's back in what he was wearing formerly..... I think he probably spent some bucks on that red suit for his date: and I see that as being nothing except a very romantic suit: I didn't see it as symbolizing predation (someone commented that they thought it did!) and he certainly wasn't behaving predatory there: he was pretty much on his best behavior, even though he wasn't thinking straight: he certainly left himself open for a big heartbreak there! His clothing in the swamp puzzles me a bit, 'tho maybe it symbolizes that he just took whatever he could get after his heartbreak when he got rid of the red suit. I do love the boots he's wearing there, though! But the blue jacket seems... (?) too small (?) for him. And that red shirt seems too baggy (it looks great clinging to him when he's wet,'tho, don't it?).

As for the livery, well, he's wearing that because he's serving the Queen- although upon thinking about it I see something else there. Does anybody else notice a resemblance in that costume to the livery/soldier uniforms that Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow put on to sneak into the Wicked Witch's castle in Wizard of Oz? I'd have to dig out an old tape to look, but the outfits look almost the same to me! Maybe it's a reference to him being "undercover" in this situation (I realize this may be a reach).   His lovely black suit with the frock coat that he wears at the ceremony and banquet (my personal favorite) make him look like the romantic hero that he is.....And then what he's wearing when he and Virginia go back just seem like "street clothes" that won't call too much attention to themselves.

Well; that's my take on Wolf's clothes...which I find I could probably discuss all day...

Next: More of my Wolfish Thoughts.