Grimm's Fairy Tales Day One

1. Many of these stories have become part of our own cultural and national heritage (especially the Disney-fied "princess" culture so popular over the last decade). What do you think it is about these stories that have caused them to become "internationalized," and in many ways represent what it is to be a child (all children know at least one version of many of these stories)? What themes / messages are transmitted in and through them that have made certain of them universal?

I believe these stories have been "internationalized" due to the moral of the stories. I feel that every culture can relate to what is right and wrong, and these stories help to prove their points. There are many different morals in each of these stories. For example, in The Frog Prince the King's daughter attempted to not keep her promise to the frog who helped her get back the ball from the water. The King made his daughter do as she promised the frog upon finding out the details. "Then the King said, "What you have promised, that you must perform; go and let him in" (Grimm's Fairy Tales, The Frog Prince, pg: 17). After the King's daughter threw the fog against the wall the frog turned into a handsome Prince. Then the two were companions after and lived very happily. This becomes one universal example of how if you keep your promises good things will come from it.

2. What is the function of gender in these stories? What messages are transmitted through them concerning the roles of men and women? Why do you think this is the case? (When we think "fairy tale" what does this imply concerning gender roles? Do these stories support or subvert this accepted convention (or possibly both)?)

The function of gender roles in these stories is generally having the woman as the damsel in distress, helpless without a man. And the man is supoosed to be the Prince/knight in shining armor to save the princess. This gives the message that women need men and that they also need them to "live happily ever after". In The Handless Maiden the Miller's daughter is in distress after the Miller promises the Evil Spirit could have what was behind the mill. The daughter was behind the mill, unknowingly by the Miller at the time. The daughter had to go without water, bathing, and had to have her hands cut off. The Miller was against this but had to obey the Evil Spirit. The daughter seemed to understand the father was in charge and that she was pretty much helpless. "She replied "Dear father, do with me what you will. I am your daughter" (Grimm's Fairy Tales, The Handless Maiden, pg: 114). The daughter eventually leaves home and is alone. Soon after she is discovered by a King and winds up happy in the end. This is another example of how gender roles are played (a woman is saved by a man) in these fairy tales.