Fairy Tale Darkness

Fairy+Tale+Darkness

Fairy tales are dated back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Some of the most popular tales are Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. These child-friendly tales, however, haven’t always been for children. The stories portrayed women as evil and unloving but also had limbs being cut off and children being abandoned.

In the Cinderella tale, written by the Grimm brothers, Cinderella had two evil step-sisters who tried to claim her shoe as their own and do whatever it took to make the prince believe that was their shoe. The mother even told one of the daughters to “cut the toe off,” and the story continues about how her foot filled the shoe with blood. Today’s version isn’t as gruesome or violent; it is the total opposite and ends happily, of course.

Sleeping Beauty also had a dark side. It was about a king and queen who want a child and one day their wish came true. When the time came for the wise women to put their gifts on the child, one woman was left out and in return for not being invited, she wished death upon the child.

These tales that have been told for over thousands of years have evolved from being evil and dark to being full of happily-ever-afters while also teaching lessons to young children.

Many people who read fairy tales aren’t aware of the original stories and what actually happened because people have changed them over time and taken things out while also adding things that will help keep the reader’s attention.

I decided to ask my fellow students if they knew that fairy tales were originally gruesome and dark. 13 out of the 50 students didn’t know that tales were not always child-friendly. Here are also some of their favorite fairy tales:

“I love Cinderella because she is just like me!” – Cami McCollum 12th grade

Peter Pan is great because the theme is to never grow up.” – Jaila Horton 12th grade

Beauty and The Beast.” – Gracie Cooper 9th grade

Cinderella is my favorite because she goes from rag to riches.” – Katy Bonadio 12th grade

Hansel and Gretel – the father comes to his senses in the end.” – Braylyn Bridges 11th grade

Does your fairy tale end happily?