Why Weren't You Told This Disturbing Fairy Tale As a Child?

Summary

This video script delves into the dark origins of fairy tales, revealing their original, gruesome content featuring murder, cannibalism, and violence. It discusses how these stories, sanitized over time, were deeply embedded in cultural narratives, reflecting societal fears and values. The script also explores the transformation of these tales, from their oral tradition roots to their collection by the Brothers Grimm and eventual adaptation by Disney, while highlighting the enduring impact and controversy of these stories.

Takeaways

• 📚 Fairy tales we know today are sanitized versions of their original, darker forms, often filled with murder, cannibalism, and violence.
• 🛌 The term 'fairy tale' was coined in the late 17th century, but these stories have a much longer history, some dating back up to 6,000 years.
• 🌐 Fairy tales are deeply embedded in cultures and serve as master narratives to influence beliefs, values, and behaviors, often based on real events.
• 🌍 The story of Cinderella is found in various cultures with different details, showing how fairy tales adapt to different cultural contexts.
• 👠 The detail of Cinderella's glass slippers was added in the 17th century by French writer Charles Perrault, highlighting the evolution of fairy tales over time.
• 📚 The Brothers Grimm collected and preserved many fairy tales, but their original versions contained adult themes and graphic content not suitable for children.
• 🤰 In some versions of fairy tales, such as Rapunzel, there are adult themes like pregnancy out of wedlock, which were later toned down.
• 🔪 Fairy tales often contain extreme violence, like in the story of Cinderella where the stepsisters' eyes are pecked out by doves, reflecting the harsh realities of life at the time.
• 👶 The poor treatment of children in fairy tales may reflect the difficult lives of young people during the 1800s, including abandonment and forced labor.
• 🚫 Fairy tales have been criticized and even banned for containing negative racial and gender stereotypes, as well as for being used as propaganda during the Nazi era.
• 🪞 Fairy tales act as a mirror to society, reflecting humanity's fears, struggles, and prejudices, and have evolved over time to adapt to changing social norms.

Q & A

What is the common perception of fairy tales among people?

The common perception of fairy tales is that they are sweet, innocent stories often read to children, featuring characters like evil stepmothers, little girls in red riding hoods, and magical elements like magic beans that lead to happy endings.

Why were the original fairy tales different from the versions most people know today?

The original fairy tales were different because they contained darker themes such as murder, cannibalism, rape, dismemberment, and incest, which were heavily sanitized in the versions we know today.

How old are some of the earliest fairy tales believed to be?

Some of the earliest fairy tales are believed to be up to 6,000 years old, with their roots in both spoken and written history.

What is the purpose of fairy tales in cultures?

Fairy tales serve as a set of master narratives intended to influence people's beliefs and values, as well as shape their behavior. They often contain a culture's spiritual and moral codes and are built on real events.

Why do the details of fairy tales vary so much across different cultures and versions?

The details of fairy tales vary because they were originally folk stories handed down through oral tradition, and as cultures mixed over centuries, the stories evolved and adapted with them.

Who is credited with adding the detail of glass slippers in the Cinderella story?

Charles Perrault, a French writer from the 17th century, is credited with adding the detail of glass slippers to the Cinderella story.

What role did the Brothers Grimm play in popularizing fairy tales in the Western world?

The Brothers Grimm played a significant role in popularizing fairy tales by collecting and preserving traditional folk stories, many of which became the well-known fairy tales of today.

Why did the Brothers Grimm include adult themes in their original collection of fairy tales?

The Brothers Grimm included adult themes because the stories they collected from various sources were not originally intended for children, and they aimed to preserve the authenticity of the tales.

How did the Brothers Grimm respond to criticism about the adult content in their fairy tales?

In response to criticism, the Brothers Grimm toned down some of the sexual themes in later editions of their fairy tales, but they increased the level of violence to compensate.

What is one example of a fairy tale that was used for Nazi propaganda during World War II?

One example is 'Little Red Riding Hood,' which was adapted to symbolize the German people tormented by the Jewish wolf, as part of Nazi propaganda.

Why do some people criticize modern adaptations of fairy tales, such as those by Disney?

Modern adaptations of fairy tales, including those by Disney, are criticized for reinforcing negative racial and gender stereotypes.