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Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar
And the story's change of name goes hand in hand with Tolkien's change in the focus of the tale. The cake was no longer the "main character" or "hero" of the story!
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Ah, 'spun candy' here belongs to summer ritual, part of carnivals and exhibitions and wild rides, as important to my culture as the old carnival was to European culture (although perhaps the perilous element is missing)--and so it also signifies a special event, a rare time, fleeting--"fairs" in all the special meanings.
However, you have read that intriguing essay in the new edition,
Esty, so you will have a more expansive understanding of the story. I am really intrigued by the original idea that the baker/cake was a metaphor for writer/story but grew into a metaphor for the passing of generations, with the ritual celebration.
I wonder, could you verify my source, which suggested that the title was changed (when the story was published in
Redbook) to imply a PG. Wodehouse story or a Boy's Own story. Does Flieger mention this at all?