When one pictures a fairytale, usually images of fairies, princesses, and happiness comes to mind. This is not always true of these stories. Some contain darker elements of death, while others portray themes important for character. The German fairy tale The Three Snake-Leaves, is about a poor young man who brings an empire that is in war to triumph. When the King finds out about this great accomplishment, he offers the hero an abundance of great treasures. The King also offers consent for the youth to marry his daughter. In order to do so he must agree to an uncommon demand made by the princess. If either of them shall die, the other person will be buried alive in the tomb. The man became so charmed with her beauty, he agreed to her demand. This notable hero foregoes a hectic marriage where he tries his best to do what is right. In The Three Snake-Leaves, multiple themes are present such as living the dream, integrity, honesty, karma, and being unforceful. Each theme is relevant in order to portray and understand the fairy tale.
In The Three Snake-Leaves, a poor man overcomes the odds that he faces in his everyday life. By doing the right thing he brought himself toward the fortune he had always dreamed of. The princess is punished for her dishonesty. This German fairy tale has a strong set of themes that are supported within the text of the story. All of these themes are great for children to read and learn. The value behind the themes and their great detail are what make this fairy tale an excellent selection. Each theme is relevant in order to properly portray the fairy tale.
Works Cited
"The Three Snake-Leaves." Grimms ' Fairy Tales. Grimmstories.com, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
Cited: "The Three Snake-Leaves." Grimms ' Fairy Tales. Grimmstories.com, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Fairy Tales have been continuously changing through history based on social norms and ideologies of the author on how society should be. Ever since the first written version released by Charles Perrault, Little Red Riding Hood has been remanufactured time and time again to fit the cultural views of the society it was created in. Not only do these different versions display the social norms of the audience it was created for, but also to challenge and critique the social constructs that are in place. Fairy tales all come with messages that impact the reader in some way, whether it teaches you lessons on how to behave, or shine light on problems that need to be addressed. Thesis: In “The False Grandmother”, Italo Calvino challenges the hegemonic…
- 190 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
As the snake dies it “strikes passionately once more at the hoe” and “there is blood in his mouth and poison dripping from his fangs.” The imagery dramatizes the image of the snake’s power being drained. The reader can visualize the transition from a once fierce snake to a lifeless carcass. In response to the killing of the snake, the man feels regret for the necessity of the circumstance, as “it was all a nasty sight, pitiful…” and “he could see it as he might have let it go, sinuous and self respecting in departure over the twilit sands.” This is a reflection of what could have been, and reveals the man’s conflicting feelings on what was necessary. The pitiful scene of the snake’s death adds to the man’s regret. The imagery in the passage emphasizes the idea of “what could have been” and therefore the man’s internal…
- 536 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
One example of a fairytale in the novel is the Little Seamstress being referred to as a princess. Another example would be the Tailor being called the king of the mountain. The third example is the mountain the leads to the princess’s house that the boys travel to get to her. The final example is the raven that is in the path that Lou takes on the mountain. I can conclude from these examples that Dai Sijie attempts to makes this novel more than sad ending. At the end though prince charming does not get his princess.…
- 97 Words
- 1 Page
Satisfactory Essays -
“Why, Grandmother, what big teeth you have!” Almost anyone would recognize those words addressed to the big bad wolf in the fairy tale” Little Red Riding Hood,” just as most people would also recognize “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” as the words of the fairy godmother from “Cinderella.” What most people may not realize, however, is that although “Cinderella” and” Little Red Riding Hood” are both fairy tales often read to children as bedtime stories, “Cinderella” is actually a much better fairy tale because of the description of the main character, the kind of conflict involved, and the theme of that particular story.…
- 839 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Often written for children, traditional fairytales are fictitious works with magical qualities. However, “The Bloody Chamber” by Angela Carter and The Princess Bride by William Goldman, are no traditional fairytales. Although both poses the fictitious qualities and traits of traditional fairytales, neither work can be considered as being written for children. The use of violence in sex, pornographic imagery, and the objectification of women show that the stories are intended for mature readers.…
- 806 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The original fairy tale is about three little pigs who all build houses, the first one of straw, the second one of sticks, and the third one of bricks. After these houses are built, a wolf comes and blows down the straw and stick houses, eating the pigs within. However, when the wolf comes to the third pig’s house of bricks, he is unable to blow it down and eat the third little pig. The wolf tries to trick the third pig into leaving his house, but after failing multiple times he tries to enter the house through the chimney. When he comes down the chimney, he is greeted by a pot of boiling water and is cooked to death, after which the third little pig eats the wolf.…
- 956 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Briar Rose has an authentic narrative structure as two parallel stories of the Holocaust and Brair Rose are intertwined and told simultaneously. The novel incorporates Gemma’s version of the fairytale which is a metaphor for her own life and experiences during the holocaust. Her personal story corresponds with the fairy tale, and she passes this information on to her granddaughter through her dying words “I was the princess in the castle. The Prince kissed me.” This refers to Gemma’s experience in the gas chamber when Aron resuscitates her and gives her a second chance at life. Her dying wish was for Becca to unravel the mystery shown when she says “Promise me you will find the castle. Promise me you will find the prince.” This repetition “promise,” highlights Gemma’s dying request to Becca to discover the parallel story and the truth behind Briar Rose. The old German fairy tale Brair Rose is an appropriation of the Holocaust, a postmodern concept of using intertextuality within the narrative. The structure is unique in the way it switches between the original fairytale and the allegory of Gemma’s life. The structure is unique in the way it switches between the original fairytale and Gemma’s life.…
- 1429 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
What happens once “happily ever after” is over and done with? No one knows if the fairy tale dream continues or if it is over and the reality of the world begins to set in. In the play “Into the Woods”, we see a plethora of literature's favorite fairy tales woven together to teach a lesson on responsibility and getting what you wish for. This production has two separate acts to it, both distinctly different. The first act serves as a continuation of the fairy tale world that we have all come to know, this serves the purpose of immediately connecting the audience to the story being told. In the second act, the entire mood changes and turns very dark and somber. This transition of mood and overall feel of the play is primed by the change in the costume and scenic design, the purpose of which was very direct and necessary in order to exude the correct emotions to the audience.…
- 608 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
enchanting journey of a young princess. The morals in this fairy tale are very important and are…
- 2340 Words
- 10 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Once upon a time children’s stories were written about a magical imaginary world with beautiful princesses and fairies known as “Fairytales”. Fairytales have been with us for a longtime. When I look back to my childhood, I do not remember a lot of things, but I remember the days when my grand-mother took care of me. Every evening I used to sit on her lap or by her side to listen to fairytales. She would tell me tales of the princes, princesses and stories of ghosts. In the end, from all the stories, she would try to teach me some lessons about life. At that time, all those stories seemed to be true to me. Fairy tales were an oral tradition handed down mostly by the grandmother’s, but were put into writing in the late 1600’s. The Disney versions…
- 978 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
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.…
- 457 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Most fairy tales share common themes, characters, and similar atmospheres. In the two versions of Cinderella, the French “Cinderella” and the German one “Aschenputtel”. They are both centered around a girl who is “swept off her feet” by a dashing prince. Some critics state that these fairytales are oppressive to women. These fairytales are not oppressive to women. A girl’s upbringing and characteristics may be shaped by the literature they have read. The parents also have an extremely important role in their development, considering the morals they are taught. Cinderella is good to her family despite the hardships she endures and she eventually learns to get her revenge in the best way possible, by being good.…
- 406 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
In the fairy tales, the protagonists always gain their Snow Whites in the end and they all live happily ever after. In fact, all protagonists’ fate is decided by the narrator’s hand. Just like the literary works we have recently read, including the poems “Sunday Greens” by Rita Dove, “Sinful City” by Jaroslav Seifert and the excerpt from Like Water for Chocolate from Laura Esquivel, the characters’ fate was sealed from that moment. Therefore, the most relevant theme through three works is that fate is for those too weak to determine their own destiny.…
- 811 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
In the world of scholarly fairy tale analysis, Maria Tatar is a prominent figure. Tatar is strongly opinionated regarding these tales and believe that the meaning of them is often misrepresented- fairy tale’s do not teach objective morals and values to children, but rather provide a platform to express the contrast of anxieties and desires to further succeed through life’s struggle. Using Tatar’s claim regarding desires and anxieties as an analysis tool to help understand complicated variants of the world’s favorite fairy tales is a rewarding and and educational process. Delving into a story that most assume they already “know” in a conceptually different way expands the mind and makes prominent issues that may not already be clear just…
- 1797 Words
- 8 Pages
Powerful Essays -
The animated movie contains various elements of signs, codes and myths in order to bring about a philosophical message to its audiences. The movie starts off with an old helpless lady knocking on a prince’s door for shelter. He refuses any help at his doorstep. Due to his unkindness he is magically turned into a beast, which we then find out, is the work of a fairy in disguise of the old lady at the prince’s door. She secondly, offers a rose which he refuses as well. The rose throughout the movie is a symbol of love, hope, fear, future, second chance and kindness. The fairy conditions that if he does not give love and receive it back by the time the rose withers completely, he will remain a beast for life.…
- 909 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays