Fairy Tales
Verbal folklore is the most recognized genre of folklore. It can include any kind of lore that includes words. Folk songs, myths and folktales are some of the most recognizable forms of verbal lore studied by folklorists. (Sims and Stephens, 2011). Within this genre are the beloved fairy tales. Fairy tales were once told amongst adults, generally with the intent to teach a lesson as well as to pass on tradition. In fact, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm believed they were saving tradition by collecting German fairy-tales, myths, and folklore. The Grimm brothers believed many of their folktales kept German myths intact, where they once were thought to be lost. (Bronner, 1998) Countless adaptations have been produced based upon the highly treasured poetic tales compiled by the Grimm brothers. The subsequent versions of the lore have ensured tradition stays alive, even if it has adapted some over time.
Over time, these tales were transcribed into text. So often when a verbal tale is retold it changes through the different narrations. Yet, when it is noted in text, often the story will take on another significant transformation. Many of the most popular fairy tales eventually make their way into film industry. The film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first princess fairy tale produced by Disney and was released in 1939. Disney’s second princess fairy tale film was released in 1950 titled Cinderella. Cinderella saved Disney during a time of financial crisis after World War II. The third princess fairy tale film released by Disney was Sleeping Beauty in 1959. (Ohmer, 1993). These three movies have many similar aspects between each other. Yet, there are also many different elements also.
These three Disney princess movies all derive from tales of old. Each of these fables have a German version collected by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm along with many other adaptations. We will be focusing on the Disney and Grimm’s variations. The Grimm’s brothers’ renditions are by far the most dark and violent. While Disney’s versions are more heart warming with little violence. When there is violence in a Disney version, it tends to be implied as opposed to explicitly shown. For instance, by way of a shadow or a silhouette. I will be comparing the differences between the Disney and Grimm's versions.
As we all know, all Disney princess movies end with happy endings. The prince and princess get married and live happily ever after. However, the tales they originated from tend to have much darker events and they do not always have such happy endings. Remember, every princess has her story.
Snow White
Disney Version
Who is the heroine?
Snow White
Who is the villain?
Evil Queen, Snow White’s Step-Mother
Which organ does the Huntsman bring for “proof” of Snow’s death?
Her heart
How does the Prince initially meet Snow?
They met while singing at the beginning of the film.
Number of attempts to kill Snow by Evil Queen?
Two, including one by the huntsman.
How does Snow reawaken from her curse?
By true loves kiss.
How is revenge paid upon the villainous Evil Queen?
She is changes until she falls off the mountain, her death is highly insinuated.
Grimm's Version
Who is the heroine?
Sneewittchen
Who is the villain?
Evil Queen, Snow White’s Real Mother
Which organ does the Huntsman bring for “proof” of Snow’s death?
Her liver and lungs
How does the Prince initially meet Snow?
The prince sees her when he arrives at the Dwarfs’ cottage requesting lodging for the night never seeing her prior to that night.
Number of attempts to kill Snow by Evil Queen? Four, including one by the huntsman
How does Snow reawaken from her curse:
By the prince’s servant hitting her upside the head out of frustration of having to carry her glass casket
How is revenge paid upon the villainous Evil Queen?
She required to dance in iron shoes pulled from a fire with red hot coals until she fell dead.
Cinderella
Disney Version
Who is the heroine?
Cinderella
Who is the villain?
Cinderella’s Stepmother & Stepsisters
Where is Cinderella’s father?
He passed away while she is young.
How does many days is the Ball/Festival at the palace?
One day, of which Cinderella does attend.
Who helps Cinderella attend the ball and how?
Her Fairy Godmother, by Bippity Boppity Booing her magic to provide Cinderella with all things she will need.
What do the special shoes look like?
Glass high heeled pumps.
How does Cinderella lose her slipper?
The glass slipper falls off while she is running away.
Who does the fitting for the accidentally discarded shoe?
The Grand Duke, whom works for the King.
What happens when the stepsisters try on the slipper?
They cannot get their big feet in the dainty glass slipper and it flies across the room when they attempt to wedge their feet it, similar to snakes in a can.
How is it determined each step sister is not the correct maiden?
The glass slipper does not fit.
What happens at Cinderella and the Prince’s wedding?
Cinderella kisses the top of the kings head when he helps her put her shoe back on.
Grimm’s Version
Who is the heroine?
Cinderella, AKA Cinderwench (by her stepsisters)
Who is the villain?
Cinderella’s Stepmother & Stepsisters
Where is Cinderella’s father?
He is physically present, but unsupportive to Cinderella while busy supporting & doting on his wife & stepdaughters.
How does many days is the Ball/Festival at the palace?
Three days, of which Cinderella does attend all three.
Who helps Cinderella attend the ball?
The bird in the tree at Cinderella’s mother’s grave. The bird provides Cinderella with the gown and shoes to attend the ball after Cinderella sings to it.
What do the special shoes look like?
Golden slippers with lace and silver stitching.
How does Cinderella lose her slipper?
The shoe stuck to the tar that was poured on the steps to trap Cinderella & keep her from running away.
Who does the fitting for the accidentally discarded shoe?
The Prince himself.
What happens when the stepsisters try on the slipper?
The sisters, each in turn, cut off part of their foot to attempt to fit in the slipper.
How is it determined each stepsister is not the correct maiden?
While riding the horse back to the castle with the Prince, the birds sing to the prince alerting him of the blood coming from their feet.
What happens at Cinderella and the Prince’s wedding?
The stepsisters get both eyes pecked by birds ending up blind for the rest of their lives.
Sleeping Beauty
Disney Version
What is the name of the story?
Sleeping Beauty
Who is the heroine?
Aurora, AKA Sleeping Beauty
How many fairies were invited to the celebration of the princess’s birth?
3
Who cursed the princess?
Maleficent, the 4th fairy whom was not invited to the party.
How will the sleeping curse be reversed?
True loves kiss.
Where does the princess grow up?
In the woods, with the 3 fairies.
How does the princess fulfill the curse?
The princess returns to the castle early, and finds the a spinning wheel conjured by Maleficent (the fairy whom cursed her).
How is the curse broken?
The prince arrives at the castle, fights the dragon and provides true loves kiss to Aurora, the sleeping beauty.
Grimm's Version
What is the name of the story?
Little Brier-Rose
Who is the heroine?
Brier Rose, AKA Sleeping Beauty
How many fairies were invited to the celebration of the princess’s birth?
12
Who cursed the princess?
The 13th fairy whom was not invited to the party.
How will the sleeping curse be reversed?
After a hundred-year sleep.
Where does the princess grow up?
In her home, the castle with her family.
How does the princess fulfill the curse?
The princess finds an old woman spinning at the last spinning wheel in the kingdom.
How is the curse broken?
After 100 years, a prince who had heard the legend of the sleeping beauty, arrived at the castle, was able to pass through the thorn hedge, walk up to the tower and amazed by Brier’s beauty, kisses her.
Conclusion
Edward Shil insists that tradition changes continually. While there are the traditional phenomena of folk, an unchanging folk society has never existed. Shil expresses the rationale that what is considered traditional folklore changes through its transmission and presentation. Nonetheless, Shil clearly states that tradition is anything that is transmitted or handed down from past to the present. (Handler and Linnekin, 1984) Based on Shil’s own definition of tradition, fairy tales are unequivocally a tradition for all.