Children’s Literature Evaluation: Fairy Tales Research Paper

Abstract

This purpose of this study is to point out the features of three stories Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs and Red Riding Hood in their relation to one another and to previous and current generations. The scope of the study encompasses rather wide audience of observers. It is implemented by means of historical and comparative types of analysis. The research showed that entire ideas in each story are still suitable for newly born generations as well as for the adults once having heard about all three fairy tales. It also highlights that the future studies should take into account achievements or innovations of time, so that to change the performance fitting new generations, but not a content in each story.

Introduction

Three fairy tales for children, namely Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs and Red Riding Hood, teach children different aspects of living. In this respect it is rather interesting to research the ethical and logical motives incorporated in these stories for different generations. Rather striking point is that of whether there are any changes in delivering the main ideas in each fairy tales between the old and the new versions. It is vital to identify the role of the message inside each story for the development of children. Moreover, current studies need more analysis on what becomes more significant for children today. It is known that classical folklore and re-interpretations of such eminent authors, as, for instance, Charles Perrault, seem to become unpopular. Thus, the research paper seeks for the analysis of real motives incorporated in Cinderella, The Three Little Pigs and Red Riding Hood, so that to make out their significance in a social, behavioral and historical meaning.

Methodology

The research considers using several types of analysis. Thus, for the constructive process of researching the main topic historical and comparative types of analysis are used. It is the way to maintain the whole picture about subject in its details. The audience for the research is quite wide, for the subject matter is recognizable for different layers or groups of the society.

Results

Cinderella

This fairy tale is about a poor girl whose worries go down when goodness of an elve helps her to become the princess (Perrault & Innocenti, 2001). In old and in modern versions the same themes are taken into consideration. The first one is to show the supremacy of goodness over the evil. The second theme states that dreams come true any time a person longs for them. On the other hand, it is about living alone and without somebody’s taking care. Modern psychology examines so-called “Cinderella effect”, as a pit in parenting genetic and stepchildren (Daly & Wilson, 2008). For contemporary families the example of Cinderella is a case of making children believe in some “power” from above that will take care of them even if they are alone.

The Little Three Pigs

This fairy tale describes how three pigs were building houses. Two of them built houses with unsafe materials, when the last one made it stone (Moor, 2003). The first two were laughing at their brother. The culmination is in the episode when the wolf destroyed first two unsafe houses and when both go to the house of their brother. The main ideas are as such:

1. Nothing is impossible to a willing mind;
2. Building life on a firm ground;
3. He laughs best who laughs last.

Though, the plot is similar through the years, it is vital to admit that current children hardly know about this classical story bearing so precious ideas. The story is directed to behave in children moral qualities closer to standards of humane.

Red Riding Hood

The story is projected on the triumph of goodness implied in the safety for Red Riding Hood and release for her grandmother (Perrault & Moon, 2002). In this respect the fairy tale provides two main ideas:

1. Little kids are secured by angels;
2. A Child should not believe strangers.

The story is adapted to the reality of current time owing to Tex Avery’s cartoons. In this respect the meaning is modeled somehow to shape the concept of the story with more humor. It also concerns the stories mentioned above.

Discussion

The books analyzed in the study are particular for their significance in behaving and education new generations of people. Children get involved by means of these fairy tales into the vortex of positive emotions and deeds. Their adornment grows each time they see the triumph of goodness (in characters of a poor little girls and little pigs) and crash of evil (in characters of wolf and stepmother with her ugly daughters). These elementary steps proved historically that children become more humane and well-bred by impacts of folklore. The manner of representation or performance of these stories may change with the course of time. Tex Avery made them in a form of cartoons being rather attractive to children then reading books. However, the pivotal ideas in stories stay unchanged for all generations.

Reference

Daly, M. & Wilson, M. (2008). The “Cinderella effect”: Elevated mistreatment of stepchildren in comparison to those living with genetic parents. Hamilton: McMaster University. Web.

Moore, M. (2003). The Three Little Pigs. Mankato, MN: Compass Point Books.

Perrault, C. & Innocenti, R. (2001). Cinderella. Madison, WI: The Creative Company.

Perrault, C. & Moon, S. (2002). Little Red Riding Hood. Madison, WI: The Creative Company.