Rapunzel Thesis

A fairy tale can most times be described as a short story with a happy ending. Many fairy tales are greatly fantasized when they are adapted into movies, especially by Disney. The original versions of most fairy tales, however, are truthfully very different in many aspects. The classic Disney movies are sometimes changed and adapted to better disguise the gruesome hidden meanings throughout fairy tales. The story of “Rapunzel” by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm exemplifies this notion of a far more violent meaning behind a simple story for children. It demonstrates the neglectful and abusive nature towards the young Rapunzel throughout her entire life, and even before she is born. The fairy tale of “Rapunzel” demonstrates the abusive and neglectful nature of the fairy, the prince and the parents toward the child while concealing the effect it has on her by including a romantic plot and

Throughout the fairy tale, Rapunzel is not physically harmed by the enchantress, but she experiences many forms of emotional abuse. According to “Child Abuse and Neglect”, psychological abuse is a neglect that makes a child feel “worthless, flawed, unwanted, or unworthy of attention and affection” (Legano, McHugh, Palusci 16). Some behaviors of emotional abuse include isolation, terrorizing a loved one of the child and denying emotional responsiveness (Legano, McHugh, Palusci 16). These definitions of psychological abuse can all be seen in the story “Rapunzel”, even if it is not obvious at first. Neglect is also an important aspect in the story. The article “Child Abuse and Neglect” describes neglect as the event when a child is not given the proper affection and nurturing (Legano, McHugh, Palusci 18). In the fairy tale, Rapunzel is neglected many times in her life. The neglect that she experiences from the different characters are evidently present through