Comparing The Culture And Generational Views Of Fairy Tales

Many children grow up reading fairy tales that affect their behavior and morals as they develop. The themes and morals portrayed in these stories teach children about the world. Fairy tales that are introduced to children by parents and adults are the stories that are reflective of what the culture or adults value their children learn. Fairy tales have the ability to transform a generation through the views of the youngest generation. Thompson claims in his article “Universality of the Folktale” that tales have evolved from their creation, each seem to be similar in nature. He sates that the stories minister to “the same basic social and individual needs”(Thompson 269). Fairy tales evolve but continue to appeal to universal themes and ideas. Conversely, Cullen discusses the cultural impact on fairy tales. Cullen claims that the most

Thompson argues that themes remain the same as time and place changes, while Cullen believes that different themes and ideas cater to generations. Throughout both articles, the authors describe the impact of culture and generational views on the versions of fairy tales that rise in popularity by using concrete examples. Cullen’s article describes how and why Perrault’s Cinderella was well received and became the most popular version of the story. One example she uses is Madame d’Aulnoy’s version. Madame d’Aulnoy’s version depicts the Fairy as “sympathetic and dignified,” which Cullen believes was more well received than Perrault’s version at that particular time because the public thought that Perrault’s fairy was a witch(Cullen 320-321). The most popular story coincides with the views and values