Hansel and Gretel
Hwang 1
Hwang, Andrew
Professor Gillis-Smith
ENGL M01B
11 April 2013
The World is Your Oyster
There is a prevalent notion that fairy tales are only for children. These stories have moral lessons that aim towards youngsters: persuasive lessons to influence, educate, and warn of the mysterious world. On the other hand, The Brother’s Grimm fairy tales have many universal life lessons for all ages. Hansel and Gretel, one of the most famous fairy tales written by the Brother’s Grimm, has many elements of virtue and character embedded within them. With a psychoanalytical perspective, the tale unfolds as a story about loss, despair, and most importantly being astute in any situation.
The story begins with a poor woodcutter’s family in a deep dilemma of the Great Famine. The wicked stepmother persuades the father to abandon his two children Hansel and Gretel in the great forest. After a successful comeback with Hansel’s shiny pebbles left behind to lead the way back, a second abandonment takes place. This time Hansel leaves behind crumbs of bread, which later on are eaten away by birds. Lost and dismayed, the children end up at a delectable house made of cakes. To the children’s surprise, a cannibalistic witch lives inside waiting for them. She tricks them and keeps them hostage. But when she is about to succeed with getting Gretel in the oven, Gretel takes the opportunity of the situation and tricks the witch into the oven. She then frees
Hwang 2
Hansel and both happily run back home with the witch’s jewels. Their father happily hugs them and they never starve again. Throughout the tale, the Grimm brothers, like any other fairytale, work towards to educate readers or listeners of a moral lesson. There are many literary techniques and uses of logic to help persuade their views. One of the strongest ways is to appeal to the emotions of the reader. The use of Pathos in the tale evokes pity or sadness, which is highly successful. The Grimm Brother’s cleverly
Hwang, Andrew
Professor Gillis-Smith
ENGL M01B
11 April 2013
The World is Your Oyster
There is a prevalent notion that fairy tales are only for children. These stories have moral lessons that aim towards youngsters: persuasive lessons to influence, educate, and warn of the mysterious world. On the other hand, The Brother’s Grimm fairy tales have many universal life lessons for all ages. Hansel and Gretel, one of the most famous fairy tales written by the Brother’s Grimm, has many elements of virtue and character embedded within them. With a psychoanalytical perspective, the tale unfolds as a story about loss, despair, and most importantly being astute in any situation.
The story begins with a poor woodcutter’s family in a deep dilemma of the Great Famine. The wicked stepmother persuades the father to abandon his two children Hansel and Gretel in the great forest. After a successful comeback with Hansel’s shiny pebbles left behind to lead the way back, a second abandonment takes place. This time Hansel leaves behind crumbs of bread, which later on are eaten away by birds. Lost and dismayed, the children end up at a delectable house made of cakes. To the children’s surprise, a cannibalistic witch lives inside waiting for them. She tricks them and keeps them hostage. But when she is about to succeed with getting Gretel in the oven, Gretel takes the opportunity of the situation and tricks the witch into the oven. She then frees
Hwang 2
Hansel and both happily run back home with the witch’s jewels. Their father happily hugs them and they never starve again. Throughout the tale, the Grimm brothers, like any other fairytale, work towards to educate readers or listeners of a moral lesson. There are many literary techniques and uses of logic to help persuade their views. One of the strongest ways is to appeal to the emotions of the reader. The use of Pathos in the tale evokes pity or sadness, which is highly successful. The Grimm Brother’s cleverly
Cited: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, Household Tales, trans. Margaret Hunt (London: George Bell, 1884)