U1A3- Four Fairy Tales

1. Hansel and Gretel

Character Archetypes

1.In the fairytale 'Hansel and Gretel', the two characters Hansel and Gretel are the Initiates and Gretel portrays the role of the damsel in distress who needs to be saved by Hansel the hero. However, the roles interchange throughout the story as Gretel takes on the role of the hero by using a clever idea of forcing the witch into the oven and saving Hansel's life. as they face and overcome the gimmicks of the evil witch. They both enter an unfamiliar and challenging world which is the forest. Hansel is shown to be courageous and clever as he derives solutions regarding them finding their way back home when lost amidst the forest. He is successful in their first trip as he drops white pearl stones on their route into the forest which will guide them to return back home. While he fails in the second trip as he drops bread instead and which the birds eat. Their journey beg​​ins as they endure hardships such as finding their way back and food as well as finding a way to escape from the evil witch. Gretel who has a more fearful and anxious personality successfully saves Hansel from the witch.

2. The evil witch first appears as the temptress by creating a house filled with sweets and candies to lure the children. Hansel and Gretel wander throughout the forest and arrive at this house with extreme hunger. As a result, the witch succeeds at tempting them as Hansel and Gretel fall into her trap. This ultimately causes the downfall of the heroes. Later on she embodies the role of a typical devil figure as she is evil and a cannibal. She forces Gretel to feed Hansel so he is worthy enough to be devoured. However, she is also the shadow and Gretel eventually devises a painful death for her and the children return back home.

Situational Archetypes:

1. The Initiation: Hansel and Gretel display initiation as they are left alone in the woods by their bitter stepmother and hence they lose their childhood and are forced to mature early. This demonstrates the rite of passage on their journey to maturation and adulthood. They have to confront their fears as well as find a way to escape the dark forest which symbolizes evil and fear similar to many other fairytales. Hansel and Gretel adapt to their situation and grow more ingenious. For example, Hansel drops white pebbles the whole way into the forest as he becomes more sensible to avoid the inevitable and to ensure both of them are safe. Another example is when Gretel uses her intelligence to overcome the witch and slams the oven door on her. Despite being vulnerable and afraid in the beginning, Gretel is forced to face her fears and conquer them. Both Hansel and Gretel transform by maturing spiritually and taking on absurd tasks throughout their journey in the forest.

Symbolic archetypes:

1. Throughout the story, the archetype 'Haven vs Wilderness' is apparent. The deep dark forest represents wilderness as it serves uncivilized regions and unconsciousness. It is a dangerous place filled with different types of animals and creatures. Hansel and Gretel encounter various challenges when travelling within the forest without the presence of their parents. Both siblings are forced to face the different aspects of human nature and hardships in life. On the other hand, their home represents haven. After defeating the evil witch, Hansel and Gretel return to their safe haven or sanctuary with loads of jewels and pearls. They learn about the death of their stepmother which ensures their safety and demonstrates the end of their journey as she was the one that came up with the idea of abandoning them. Just as any fairytale it ends in a 'happily ever after' as the children reunite with their father and bring along the jewels.

Theme:

The story Hansel and Gretel is filled with various apparent examples of greed and gluttony. At the beginning of the fairytale, the greed of Hansel and Gretel's stepmother is exhibited as she wants to abandon her kids to have access to all the food due to the famine. She convinces their father and without questioning her greed, their father and stepmother decide to leave them in the forest, but later in the story the stepmother dies. While searching for their way back home, Hansel and Gretel come across a house made of sweets and candies. Due to hunger, they begin to eat the sweets off a strangers house which eventually lands them into trouble. However, their greed was simply because of the need for survival. The old lady living in the house calls them inside and provides them with a bed and more food to which both of them blindly agree. Ultimately, they figure out she is a witch who wants to kill and eat them. The witch exhibits her greed as she wants Hansel to fatten up so she can thoroughly devour him, but in the end she ends up falling into her own trap and dies in the hot oven. Lastly, when Hansel and Gretel see the abundance of food and luxurious items in the witch's house, they turn to gluttony and carry many jewels and stones in their pockets to return back. This ties in with the moral of the story which is to never be greedy and accept what you have or the consequences will be worse as in the case of the witch and the stepmother.

2. Cinderella

Character Archetypes:

1. In this story, one of the crucial characters who helps Cinderella is the fairy godmother. Firstly, she is shown as Cinderella's mentor as she guides her and assists her with emotional and spiritual help. She also serves as a physical symbol of her mother and faith since she transforms Cinderella's dress into a beautiful gown that her stepsisters destroy and helps her get to the ball. The fairy godmother is an older women who is wise and has magical powers. Secondly, the fairy godmother portrays the earth mother as she arranges Cinderella's ride to the ball by transforming different animals into horses and a pumpkin into a carriage. The character of the fairy god mother is the reason why this is a fairytale as without her Cinderella would have never gotten to attend the ball.

Situational Archetype:

1. Battle of Good vs Evil: This battle occurs between Cinderella and her stepmother. It is not a physical battle, but is an emotional battle between the two primal forces. Cinderella is an innocent and naive girl who loses her mother at a very young age. Cinderella's father marries Lady Tremaine who becomes her stepmother. Cinderella is a kind-hearted and affectionate girl who accepts her stepmother and stepsisters and obeys them. However, her stepmother takes Cinderella under her control soon after her father passes away and throughout the story Cinderella is treated brutally by her stepmother and stepsisters. She faces verbal abuse and is expected to do all the chores and labour around the house. Overall, she is considered the servant of the house. Despite being always criticized by both her stepmother and sisters, Cinderella usually replies back sarcastically, but at the same time remains obedient to them. This has been an ongoing conflict in the story until the fairy godmother helps Cinderella reach the ball and she is asked by the prince to dance with him. As Cinderella has to leave the ball before midnight the prince is unable identify her. So he attempts to find her by using her glass slipper and is eventually successful. Cinderella is able to defeat her stepmother and gain a new life that is filled with happiness. Her stepmother is aggravated when she watches the pair get married and hence the good ultimately triumphs over evil.

Symbolic Archetype:

1. The magic weapon: In the story Cinderella, the glass slippers are the evident magic weapon. They represent transformation and a trial for who can fit the shoe. The Prince hosts a ball to find his true love and while dancing with Cinderella at the ball he instantly falls in love with her. However, she has a time frame and so Cinderella hurries out of the ball and leaves behind one of her glass slippers. The slipper belongs to the girl he falls in love with and it is a test to find out whose it is. These slippers are the magic weapon which serve a great purpose as they reunite the prince and Cinderella allowing her to escape slavery and live a life she deserves. Since the slippers are made of glass they represents Cinderella's purity and the transparency of her character as she is an innocent and graceful princess. As well as they are fragile just like her.

Theme:

The one theme that stands out throughout the fairytale of Cinderella is that good deeds are always rewarded. Cinderella, who is an innocent young girl is dominated by her step mother and step sisters. Cinderella takes any verbal abuse without complaining and always obeys them. She is a good-natured and an independent girl as she positively makes the best out of every situation including bad ones. Despite being the daughter of a wealthy man, she constantly does labour and chores around the house without any questioning. Therefore, it proves that all things come to those who persevere and work hard. Ultimately, Cinderella is rewarded by the fairy god mother as she attends the ball and finds her love and with whom she marries and lives a happy life as a princess. Whereas, the step sisters and mother are jealous and troubled by the thought of Cinderella becoming the princess.

3. Little Red Riding Hood

Character archetypes:

1. The wolf's character can be examined as the devil figure purely because of his evil intentions. When Little Red Riding Hood takes a short route through the forest to reach her ill grandmother's house, the wolf arrives and begins to agitate Red. His character can also be classified as the trickster as he deceives her by trying to race her to see who would reach her grandmother's house the fastest. When he reaches there he fools the grandmother as well, by imitating like Red. He quickly disguises as the grandmother by wearing her clothes before Red arrives at her house and his cunning nature tricks Red into believing that he is her grandmother. He eats and devours the grandmother and later on also eats Red as well.

Situational archetypes

1. The fall of Little Red Riding Hood begins when she informs the evil wolf about where she is heading. The wolf being extremely clever, decides to deceive her by reaching her grandmother's house and eating her before Red's arrival. Therefore, at the end of the story, when Little Red Riding Hood arrives at her Grandmother's house, she notices the strange appearance of her grandmother who actually is the wolf. As a result, Red continuously asks her questions about her appearance which builds up suspense. However, she finally realizes the wolf is impersonating her grandmother. This realization represents initiation as Red comes into maturity and notices the obvious awareness around her. In addition to that, it emphasizes her innoncence as she is extremely naive by failing to recognize the wolf in disguise. Her realization also depicts her loss of innocence as she comprehends that the wolf is a predator and will eventually eat her. As expected the wolf devours her displaying her downfall and penance.

Symbolic Archetypes:

1. The threshold: The dark forest is presented as a threshold in the story Little Red Riding Hood. It is the place where she enters a new world away from haven. When she meets the wolf, she becomes aware of the different surroundings which causes her to grow up and mature. As forests are full of danger and threats, it is expected that Red would have to face a dilemma specifically with the wolf. The forest can also be given a transformation role, as Red breaks away from her innocence and sees through the disguise of the wolf but unfortunately cannot escape.

2. Colour red: The name Little Red Riding Hood is given to Red because of her famous red hood and clothing. The colour red symbolizes blood and sacrifice and can foreshadow her death.

Theme: Little Red Riding Hood holds a strong message of 'obeying your parents and to not talk to strangers'. This fairytale is based upon Red attempting to go through the forest and reaching her grandmothers house safely, but her journey is interrupted by the evil wolf. Red decides to talk to him and eventually finds herself in a dangerous situation. Instead of avoiding the wolf just like her mother told her to, she tells him where she is headed and why she is going. Red is unaware of the danger she puts herself into and pays the price as she is eventually killed. Another crucial theme that ties into the first theme is that 'looks are deceiving'. Red thinks the wolf is friendly whereas he just wants a meal to eat and thus attacks Red. Sometimes it is always the most innocent appearing people that turn into evil creatures and this fairytale exhibits that very effectively.

4. Rumpelstiltzkin

Character archetypes

1. The poor millers daughter is the protagonist and the hero in this fairytale however, her name is not revealed to the audience. After her father lies to the king about her being able to turn straw into gold, the King demands her to do so. She enters an unfamiliar world with a new task and challenges to face. At this point, the miller’s daughter is unaware of how to complete the task and her character shifts from a hero to damsel in distress. She becomes a vulnerable women who needs to be rescued otherwise her life would have to pay the price. Until, Rumpelstiltskin comes into the role of a hero and saves the miller’s daughter by using his magical power of turning the straws into gold. The miller’s daughter has to return back his favour by giving him her necklace, ring and a promise of handing her first born child to Rumpelstilzkin. Eventually, the roles interchange again as the miller’s daughter is portrayed as the hero as she is required to guess Rumpelstiltzkin’s name for keeping her child to herself and is successful in doing so when she cleverly overhears him say it and ultimately saves her child.

Situational archetypes

1. Death and rebirth: As the King appoints her a crucial task, the poor miller's daughter is puzzled on how to complete it. She is given a full day to turn all the straw into gold and is expected to finish her task by morning. The poor miller's daughter is terrified, this is when Rumpelstiltzkin comes into play and helps her complete it. Therefore, the morning represents her rebirth as she accomplishes the task with help from Rumpelstiltzkin and the King is unimaginably happy. This foreshadows his greed and selfishness, as a result he takes the miller's daughter into a larger room filled with straw to turn into gold by the next morning. Again, the millers daughter faces trouble. The night represents her challenges and possibly her death if she is unable to complete the task. However, once again Rumpelstilzskin strikes and executes her task by demanding with a ring in return. When morning arises, it portrays her rebirth again as the King spares her life. The same repeats one more time.

Symbolic archetype

1. Number 3: Rumpelstiltzkin has a very symbolic rule of three, since the pattern repeats quite often in the story. At the beginning of the story, the millers daughter is dictated to three rooms filled with straw and she is given three days to turn the straw in each room into gold. Rumpelstilskin helps her for the three days and in return collects his dividend three times. Additionally, he tells the miller’s daughter to guess his name within those three days. The number three is seen as an allegory ,as many life experiences are dealt in three dimensions. The number three is also significant as it is used to show a specific pattern as the audience fails to recognize the numbers one or two. It creates suspense in the last scene when the millers daughter attempts to guess Rumpelstiltzkin’s name. She gets it wrong two times and ultimately says it correctly in the third attempt.

2. Initiation: The miller’s daughter has to cross a threshold as she is forced to enter a world with new challenges because of her father’s lie. She has to accept the challenge to save her life however, she overcomes this with Rumpelstiltzkin’s help.

Theme: The most prominent theme in this fairytale deals with power and greed. It begins with the poor miller as he uses his daughter to bluff the king. due to which his daughter encounters trouble. As a result of his lie, the king asks Rumpelstiltzkin ito turn a room filed with straw into gold. Furthermore, when the king sees the room filled with gold in the morning, he becomes extremely greedy and uses his power to command her to turn two more rooms filled with straw into gold. The King even takes the poor miller’s daughter as his wife due to his utmost greed. Lastly, Rumpelstiltzkin uses his magical power to benefit himself from the dividends he was receiving. He asks the miller’s daughter to give her first child to him, but he does not get custody of the child as she fulfills the quest she was assigned by Rumpelstitzkin. This relates to the moral as it teaches the audience to never boast about anything for their own benefits and also to make and keep promises and stay away from greed.