No author is better celebrated in the fairytale world today than the Grimm brothers, whose publication of countless preexisting fairytales marked the fairytale genres transition from storytelling into literary text. Recognized as the standard source upon which our societies knowledge of German folklore is based (The Reception of Grimm Fairy Tales), the final edition of their work published remains ever present an influence for both readers and collectors alike. Yet, the translation of their work that remains in publication and is praised by society today is not how they originally intended for their work to appear. When Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their first edition of a two-volume set of German fairytales titled “Children and Household Tales” in 1812, they didn’t shy from intensifying the gore and sexual intrigue that the stories they collected already exhibited.
Originally voiced in a manor that would teach critical lessons and pass on cultural values and wisdom to younger generations, fairytales were crafted into dark and impressive stories meant to frighten children into compliance (Societies Influence on Grimms Fairytales). At the time, “Considerable importance [was] attached to privacy,” (Germany Cultural Profile). What’s more, members of German society …show more content…
And yet, while the stories did their part in frightening children the stories seemed to captivate them as well. With this realization, mother’s decided they would rather their children not be exposed to storied that inspired violence, sexual undertones and deception. Thus, the move towards the nineteenth century brought with it a lowered tolerance for any mention of gruesome content and sexual undertones in children’s stories (Off with their
Originally voiced in a manor that would teach critical lessons and pass on cultural values and wisdom to younger generations, fairytales were crafted into dark and impressive stories meant to frighten children into compliance (Societies Influence on Grimms Fairytales). At the time, “Considerable importance [was] attached to privacy,” (Germany Cultural Profile). What’s more, members of German society …show more content…
And yet, while the stories did their part in frightening children the stories seemed to captivate them as well. With this realization, mother’s decided they would rather their children not be exposed to storied that inspired violence, sexual undertones and deception. Thus, the move towards the nineteenth century brought with it a lowered tolerance for any mention of gruesome content and sexual undertones in children’s stories (Off with their