Hansel and Gretel

(I'm not the Lead Blogger for the week, but here goes...)

I was glad we discussed the variations of Hansel and Gretel in class, because I was having a difficult time finding connections between a few of the stories, and Hansel and Gretel as I know it.

I think the story of Hansel and Gretel has the most variation, because the underlying concept of the story has a great capacity for evil. Typically in literature intended for a younger audience, children are portrayed as angelic, are doted upon, and considered a precious part of the family. The idea that parents could view children as a burden is not often discussed.

The "contamination" of fairy tales seems almost always to be a dilution. The scary parts are toned down, the heroes are played up, and there is always a happy ending. Hansel and Gretel as I have heard it follows these rules to a 'T.' The fact that the parents were willing to leave their children in the woods is somehow overlooked, and the family continues a life of normalcy.

Although I don't disagree that children should be somewhat sheltered from violence and upsetting issues, I think children should be given some sort of warning about the way the world works, rather than being led to believe everything always works out in the end.