Plot Discussion: Hana's Suitcase and Allusions in Paper Bag Princess

This assignment delves into the plot construction of Karen Levine's "Hana's Suitcase," examining its dual narrative structure which intertwines the story of Hana Brady with the investigation by Fumiko Ishioka, and its poignant portrayal of the Holocaust. The analysis highlights the significance of the suitcase as a symbol of Hana's tragedy and the remembrance of children lost in the Holocaust. The essay also explores Robert Munsch's "The Paper Bag Princess," focusing on its allusions to fairy tales like Cinderella and Rapunzel, and how it subverts traditional gender roles by portraying a princess who uses her intelligence and resourcefulness. The assignment contrasts the traditional damsel-in-distress narrative with the princess's agency and independence, showcasing the story's unique and modern approach to storytelling.

Running Head: PLOT DISCUSSION OF “HANA’S SUITCASE” AND ALLUSION TO
FAIRY TALES IN “THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS”
Plot Discussion of “Hana’s Suitcase” and Allusion to Fairy Tales in “The Paper Bag Princess”
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PLOT DISCUSSION OF “HANA’S SUITCASE” AND ALLUSION TO FAIRY TALES IN
“THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS”
Plot Analysis of “Hana’s Suitcase”
“Hana’s Suitcase” by Karen Levine includes two plots that contribute to the development
of the storyline. One of the perspectives is that of modern historian Fumiko Ishioka who made
the discovery of Hana. The other perspective consists of the biography of Hana, which
eventually is taken up by her brother George who survived the holocaust.
Ishioka put Hana’s story together as an attempt to educate the children in Japan about the
Holocaust. In this attempt of trying to unearth the life of Hana, Levine, as an author, conveys to
her readers about the life of Hana that existed before the war broke out followed by the drastic
changes that were brought about in the small family of the Brady’s because of their Jewish
identity (Levine, 2016). The story of Hana’s Suitcase is strewn with instances of extreme cruelty,
sadness, and despair. However, it also shows glimpses of the pleasant and happy life of the
Brady’s before the war broke out. The significance of the plot construction lies in the gradual
development of two sides of the story that contribute to the awaiting sense of anticipation-
instead of creating confusion for the readers, the two plots side by side, and hence end up
complementing each other as the story reaches its culmination. Ishioka’s mission was to
enlighten the younger generation of Japan about the World War II, along with the holocaust for
which she took humongous effort in order to find out about the various displays in the museums
all over the world that are solely built for the remembrance of the holocaust and its survivors
(Levine, 2016).
The next shift in the plot takes the readers to the life of Hana, her brother George, and her
parent along with their ordinary but happy life in the little town of Nove Mesto na Morave,
Czechoslovakia. The periodic alteration in the narration of Levine keeps up the element of
suspense in the story of “Hana’s Suitcase” (Levine, 2016). The final instance of bifurcation takes

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PLOT DISCUSSION OF “HANA’S SUITCASE” AND ALLUSION TO FAIRY TALES IN
“THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS”
place as the readers come to know about the death of Hana in the concentration camp as George
takes up the narrative. Ishioka achieves success by discovering her brother George who was the
only survivor of the holocaust from the Brady family. Her success was also in the form of honour
to the memory of Hana as the children of the Small Wings club were finally able to see George
and interact with him. The plot structure reaches its fulfilment in the realization of George as he
understood that even though a long span of fifty-five years have passed between the horrible
atrocities of the holocaust and the present day, his little sister is still being remembered by the
world. The poignancy of the theme of Hana’s Suitcase lies in the remembrance of the fact that
among the millions of Jews killed in the holocaust, more than a million were children (Levine,
2016).
It is important to note that documentation of the firsthand experience of the second world
war and the holocaust were also done by a young Jewish girl, Anne Frank, whose work was
published posthumously in the name of “The Diary of a Young Girl”. Hana’s Suitcase is different
because of its method of narration as it puts forth two sides of the story. The readers come to
know about the cruelty and atrocities of the Nazis, where the suitcase of Hana becomes a symbol
of her tragedy (Levine, 2016).
Allusions to Fairy Tales in “The Paper Bag Princess”
Robert Munsch, in his story The Paper Bag Princess alludes to two fairytales, namely
Cinderella and Rapunzel. His choices display a sharp contrast in the stereotypical portrayal of the
princess being a damsel in distress and the arrival of a prince in order to rescue her. The narrative
of The Paper Bag Princess is different as the princess on realizing the imminent danger of the
prince, take up the mission of saving the prince. Interestingly there is no epic battle that is fought
by the princess; instead, she uses her intelligence and presence of mind as she tricks the cruel

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PLOT DISCUSSION OF “HANA’S SUITCASE” AND ALLUSION TO FAIRY TALES IN
“THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS”
dragon and manages to reach the prince. However, Munsch also plays with the ending of the
story as he reveals the true nature of the prince- “Come back when you are dressed like a real
princess” (Munsch & Martchenko, 2005). Upon gaining that knowledge, the princess is wise
enough to leave him and embark on a journey to find joy and happiness in her own terms. This
significant change in the storytelling process is both unique and fresh as the traditional fairytales
took resort in the portrayal of victimhood of the female protagonist. The agency of the new age
princess Elizabeth is not limited to her outward appearance, beauty, and her marriage to the
prince- “She looked everywhere for something to wear, but the only thing she could find that
was not burnt was a paper. So she put on the paper bag and followed the dragon (Munsch &
Martchenko, 2005).” Instead, she resorts to her intellect that guides her towards a new future. In
this new future, Munsch grants his princess freedom, choices, and position of power that never
not previously available to the women of the medieval age.

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PLOT DISCUSSION OF “HANA’S SUITCASE” AND ALLUSION TO FAIRY TALES IN
“THE PAPER BAG PRINCESS”
Reference
Levine, K. (2016). Hana's Suitcase: The Quest to Solve a Holocaust Mystery. Crown Books for
Young Readers.
Munsch, R., & Martchenko, M. (2005). The Paper Bag Princess [Ebook] (2nd ed., pp. 1-31).
New York: Annick Press Ltd. Retrieved from
https://mrta.nyc/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/the_paper_bag_princess1.pdf