![]() Symbolism was very present when Hansel and Gretel took the white duck as a way of transport over the water. They gathered stones, which they later found out were pearls and jewels. Gretel triumphs over the witch by pushing her into the stove her and her brother were going to be cooked in. We have passed down this idea, and continue to teach it. Most children books and movies are still like this. The hero or heroine was always beautiful, and had a good heart, and the evil person was always bitter, and corrupt. Since this is a very old fairytale, they wanted to portray characters a certain way. In real life, anyone can wrong you old or young, ugly or beautiful. ![]() The witch is often portrayed this way because it is much easier to hate and distrust these characters, though this often conflicts with real life. She follows every wicked witch's stereotype of evil, ugly, old, and bitter. The witch deceives the children, saying things like "Oh you dear children, who has brought you here? Do come in, stay with me. Was it not ultimately their fault that they ate what was not theirs and trusted a stranger? In the Brothers Grimm story, though, it is evident that the children should have no blame, and that they were compelled to trust this woman. In some versions of this story, Hansel and Gretel are portrayed as greedy and ignorant. An old, ugly woman greets them, and lures them into her house. They stumble upon a candy house, and nibble on the house, unaware of any consequences. Many other fairytales, such as Snow White, use a forest in the same manner as Hansel and Gretel. Hansel and Gretel become lost in a forest, which is an archetype for evil, lost and fear. Their victory is short lasted, however, because both the children find themselves in the same situation, but this time, without a solution. Hansel immediately shows the reader his skills, coming up with a plan to save his sister and himself. The two parents come up with a plan to leave their children, only to have it fail, after the children overhear their plan. Readers can relate to this, probably not to their own parents, but to certain people in their life. ![]() Not only do they have to overcome they main obstacle they have, they have to deal with one parent setting up more obstacles, or making their obstacle all that more difficult to reach. This happens in fairytales because it makes the reader want to root for the hero. In most fairytales there is usually one controlling, 'evil' parent (or step-parent) and one rather submissive parent, this fairytale being no exception. The father was distressed over misleading the children, but gave little fight. "Oh! you fool, then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins," she exclaimed to him. ![]() There is the 'wicked' stepmother, who manipulates the influential, yet caring, father. Two children coming from poor backgrounds, so poor that even bread was becoming scarce. The beginning of this story is rich with fairytale archetypes. Either way, Hansel and Gretel continues to get told and passed down throughout generations. Or maybe it's the fact that good triumphs evil. Maybe it's the idea that these two kids came from absolutely nothing, only to get all their desires that delights, that entices people. Even though this story is about two starving kids, deceitful parents, and a cannibalistic witch, it is a classic fairytale, loved and admired by people of all ages. Hansel and Gretel is a story known by almost everyone.
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