Sex and Violence

1. Sex and Violence The hard Core of fairy tales

2. Grimms’ versions of tales are often violent • Doves peck out eyes of Cinderella’s stepsisters • Briar Rose’s suitors bleed to death in hedge surrounding her castle • In “The Juniper Tree” a woman decapitates her stepson, cooks him in a stew, and feeds him to his father.

3. Often edited out references to “certain conditions and relationships” • Story of Hans Dumm was dropped after first edition of Nursery and Household Tales due to focus on pregnancy • Wilhelm Grimm omitted hints of premarital sexual activity such as in “Frog King or Iron Heinrich” • Incestuous themes were avoided or toned down. If they were too difficult to eliminate entirely, judgmental observations were added.

4. Why did they alter the stories? • Response to criticism from peers • Began to view their books more as a source of income • Some felt the first edition missed its potential market because the Grimms’ scholarly ambitions undermined the production of a book for children. • Competitors were tailoring similar books to children

5. The Transformation of the Grimms’ Enterprise • Began as a scholarly and patriotic project • Wanted to capture German folk traditions • Began to see an opportunity for some much needed income • Folk and fairy tales began to shift from adult oriented to entertainment for children • Hoped their collection could serve as a “manual of manners”

6. Hard work and obedience: Those are the qualities to which All good citizens must aspire. Modesty and gentility, Skill, hard work, and love of labor Crown a girl and her achievements, Building the foundation of a woman’s dignity