Growing up my idea and version of fairytales were the typical “happily ever after” endings. The fairytale Snow White that I recall from my childhood, was the queen giving Snow White the poisonous apple that sends her into a sleep like death that only can be broken by a kiss. The ending was also very different as well if not even more grim. The child friendly version ended with the prince saving her but instead the versions read today ended in a slow and painful death for the queen; this version she was sentenced to death by hot iron shoes and forced to “dance” until her death. I now see that fairytales are way more grim that what we have been conditioned to, the actuality of fairytales are very similar to that of myths or legends in a way. I only say this because stories like myths and legends are almost always grim, and you can compare this to the original “fairytales”. Lastly, I’ve also observed that Fairytales is very misleading as to what the story is about and how it ends.
Powered by:
top
2 thoughts on “Nathalie Joseph Discussion 10”
Hi Nathalie
Yes, I believe that during our growth, we must have all read the Disney version of Snow White, where even though the stepmother is an unforgivably bad person, the ending is far from being as “cruel” as in the original story. Fairy tales, although created for children, should not promote the notion of always happy endings to them. Bad people should receive the punishment they deserve, and fairy tales should align more closely with real life, letting children understand after reading them that when they do evil things, they should be punished.
I see what you’re saying about the original versions of fairy tales often having grim and tragic elements, similar to myths and legends. It’s interesting how these stories have evolved with some of the darker aspects being toned down for child-friendly versions. Also, fairy tales can be misleading in the sense that they may present a simplified or idealized versions and interpretations to fully understand the depth and richness of these tales.