Compare And Contrast The Ring And The Five Helpers

Compare/Contrast Essay
Most short stories have the same basic motifs, whether it is a damsel in distress being saved by the hero, the perfect fairytale marriage and life after, or even the risk of having secrets. These three motifs stand out in “The Ring” and “The Five Helpers”, each in its own unique way. Showing off these themes in different ways helps to look at not only the differences of stories, but also the things they have in common.
The damsel in distress motifs in “The Five Helpers” is displayed when the young women is eaten by the snake and presumed missing by her tribe. In the end it is the combine heroism of the five that save the young women. Their determination to save her showcases their different abilities and how they are all important. In “The Ring”, Lise becomes a damsel in distress when she is confronted by the sheep thief. However it is not Lise husband, Sigismund, who saves her, but really the thief himself. By just encountering the man, Lise is saved from her sheltered way of looking at life.
The young woman had been denying marriage until she saw the snake disguised as a man. “As soon as the maiden saw the young man she was delighted, and said she would marry him at once.” (Cardinall 510) Blinded by the bliss of “love”, the girl allowed the snake to trick her and was devoured by him. “The Ring” shows how Lise was so happy to be married and how she thought she would be forever happy and free. Throughout the story however we see her view on her marriage change. While she still is happy in her marriage, she realize that it will not alway be perfect and