The Tales Of The Brothers Grimm: Their Repercussion – Being Parents

At the start of the 19th century, brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm wrote and compiled nearly 300 tales. These stories have been translated into countless languages ​​and adapted for the big screen.

The Grimm brothers are without a doubt celebrities  in the world of children’s literature.

However, these tales were not originally intended for such a young audience. The first versions of their tales are extremely cruel. That is why they have been adapted for children.

The Grimm brothers themselves began to “soften” their tales for a childish audience. However, that does not take away from the fact that these stories have some effect on children.

The tales of the Brothers Grimm: no end

We are used to children’s stories having an idyllic ending. The good guys win, the bad guys run away and all of them lived happily and had many children.

However, as we mentioned earlier,  originally many tales did not have such an ending. Among these are those of the Brothers Grimm, Perrault or Andersen. Cruelty and violence mark these narratives.

Although these stories are loaded with morals, they contain earthy details. In  Hansel and Gretel , the witch is burnt to death. The little mermaid turns into foam and disappears after the prince’s refusal.

This style is believed to be due to a desire to  scare children away from certain situations or people that might be dangerous.

Adapting tales: only up to a point

Some parents are afraid to lie to their children when they tell them fantastic tales. Admittedly, the tales do not always look like reality. However, that doesn’t mean kids confuse them with this one.

Other parents think, on the contrary, that  if we eliminate everything that has to do with reality, children will grow up happier and more protected. This is also not completely true.

The key is to find the right balance. It is necessary to make some changes in the tale but only to  neutralize its negative effects, cruel or violent, emphasizing the benefits.

Although they are harsh, we must not forget that those of the Brothers Grimm contain important morals. Adaptations must be found that do not omit the function of these stories.

In addition, we must take into account that adaptation also depends on each child. This factor has caused there to be so many versions of the same story.

Besides age and ability to understand, it is important to keep in mind that  each person has a different level of sensitivity.

The stories of the Brothers Grimm: more than just entertainment

Every tale has a double utility. On the one hand, it is enjoyable entertainment. On the other hand, it conveys important messages and values.

Most of them have a strong moral character. Endings usually punish characters who behaved badly and reward those who behaved well.

Besides this basic double utility,  the tales of the Brothers Grimm have an important representative role.

Tales are, in a way, a way of gradually introducing children to reality. As we have mentioned, the earthiness of some of them may be due to the search for protection.

This could be like an alert to warn children of the dangers that await them. However, it is not only the facts that reflect the reality. Indeed,  it will be thanks to their relationship with the characters that the children will relate these stories to those around them. 

The use of cruel characters is particularly noteworthy. For example, we can cite the famous mother-in-law:  Cinderella,  Sleeping Beauty  or  Snow White lived terrorized by these malicious women.

Children use these evil characters to understand the manifestations of people’s feelings. They thus dissociate their loved ones into good subjects or into angry, bad subjects: stepmothers.

We obviously cannot forget the counterpart of mother-in-law: fairy godmothers. These characters watch over the main characters, just as they do with children.

These are the people who will protect them from the threatening or irritated subject previously mentioned.

Through the fairies, children understand that their loved ones will be there to protect and watch over them.