The Grimm Brothers’ Tales

By: Bryan J. Liciaga-RecciEnglish 1102 (T4/14)

Professor Owens

The Grimm Brothers’ Tales The original collection of the tales were known

as “Children’s and Household tales” They were first published in 1812 and they

continue to be rewritten throughout the years The Grimm brothers’ are credited for over

hundreds of tales

Famous Tales “Cinderella” “Snow White” “Little Red Ridding

Hood” “Hansel And Gretel” “Sleeping Beauty” “Rapunzel”

“”

How many millions of nightmares have the Grimms inspired, how many pleasant

daydreams?Edward Carey

Horrific Scenes “Hansel and Gretel”

The mother wants to abandon the children in the forest, and the witch wants to eat Hansel.

“The Girl Without Hands” The father trades his daughter to the devil for wealth. The father is forced to chop her hands off.

“Rapunzel”Out of grief because he has lost Rapunzel, the prince throws himself from the tower but does not die, however but he fell into thorns that poke his eyes out leaving him blind and living a miserably life until he reunites with Rapunzel.

“Rumpelstiltskin”When the queen finds out his name and tells him this he stomps his right foot so hard into the ground that he fell in up to his waist. Then with both hands he took hold of his left foot and ripped himself up the middle in two.

“Cinderella”Original Version

The stepsisters cut part of their foot, in order for the slipper to fit them.

Birds pick out the stepsisters eyes and they remain blind for the rest of their lives.

Rewritten Versions

The stepsisters attempt to fit into the slipper but their feet are too big.

Cinderella forgives the stepsisters and they marry noble men.

“Little Snow-White”Original Version

The queen asks for Snow White’s liver and lungs so that she can eat them.

The queen is forced to wear iron shoes, previously warmed in hot coils; and to dance until she dies.

Rewritten Version The queen asks for Snow White to be

taken to the forest and be left there to die.

The queen chokes with envy and dies on the spot.

Lessons Learned from the tales To remain humble – “Cinderella” To be true to themselves – “Cinderella” To keep away from strangers – “Little Red Ridding Hood” To not be greedy – “The Girl Without Hands” Wealth is not everything – “The Girl Without Hands” There is always going to be somebody wanting to help

and support through hard times – “Little Snow-White” The great, unbreakable bond between

siblings – “Hansel and Gretel”

We will always remember our childhood favorite tales and their happily

ever after endings. They will be passed on

to our children. However, most of them

would have never guessed that most of these stories derived

from a gruesome background.

Works Cited Carey, Edward. "Into the woods: Revisiting the brothers Grimm 200 years

after they collected their brilliant and disturbing tales." Boston Globe, 11 Nov. 2012. Web. 2 May 2014.

Grimm, Jacob, and Wilhelm Grimm. “The Grimm Brothers’ Children and Household Tales.” D. L. Ashliman, 1 June 2011. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.

Leschnikoff, Nancy, Helen Wood, Sarah Courtauld, and Rosie Dickins. “Usborne Illustrated Fairy Tales.” Tulsa, OK: EDC Pub., 2007. Print.

Mazan, Philip Petit, Cecile Chicault, Joe Johnson, Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, and Ortho. “Tales from the Brothers Grimm.” New York: Papercutz, 2008. Print.