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Comparison of Two Versions of Cinderella: Grimm vs. Perrault

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A lot of the fairy tale stories that we have seen as young adults and even as adults are original folk tale stories that have been modified and rewritten to accommodate our new cultures. Cinderella happens to be one of these stories that have been changed over the years. There are many different versions of Cinderella, an African Cinderella, a Hungarian Cinderella and even a Chinese version. All of the Cinderella’s are similar in plot, but the author dictates the story’s theme based on the people whom he is writing for which completely changes the story’s tone, mood and other elements. While Perrault's version stresses the values and materialistic worries of his middle-class audience, Grimm’s' focus is on the harsh realities of life …show more content…

Cinderella goes to her mother’s grave and cries about how poorly and inhumanely she is getting treated, she tries satisfying her wicked step-mother, but she is never successful. The Grimm brothers had a different audience to satisfy so their story tone is darker and deeper. Their main concern was for the audience to sympathize with Cinderella and emotionally connect with her. The Little Glass Slipper, Perrault’s version of Cinderella also has a different ending. The ending is happier and includes forgiveness. Although the step sisters were cruel and treated Cinderella horribly she forgave them in the end and even found good husbands for them, and they all lived happily ever after. You see from this that this story is intended to teach a moral lesson of forgiveness and kindness. In Perrault’s version you can be terrible and unpleasant but you will be forgiven because that’s part of life. The Grimm brothers however have a different point of view on that matter. They feel that what you do will come back to haunt you and you can’t be a sinful person and be forgiven. Cinderella was always kind and compassionate and she got rewarded for that, she married the prince and escaped her horrible life. She no longer weeps at her mother’s grave and cries herself to sleep. The step sisters on the other hand, even though Cinderella forgave them, they didn’t get forgiven by a higher

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