Which evidence best supports the conclusion…

English Questions

Which evidence best supports the conclusion that the Grimms’ fairy tales were not meant for children? Check all that apply: 1. The tales are from the past and were collected through interviews. 2. Some of the tales discuss wars and other conflicts of the time. 3. Many of the stories depict the horrifying and brutal treatment of children. 4. The stories and the tradition of storytelling are a timeless pastime for children. 5. The tales often reveal the harsh living conditions of the 19th century.

Answer

The strongest evidence supporting the conclusion that Grimms’ fairy tales were not intended for children includes “Many of the stories tell about the horrifying and brutal treatment of children” and “The tales often reveal the harsh living conditions of the 19th century.” These tales are well-known for their gruesome depictions of child suffering; for instance, in Snow White, the stepmother instructs a huntsman to kill the girl and bring back evidence of her death, while Cinderella’s stepsisters resort to mutilating their feet for the glass slipper, ultimately facing dire consequences as birds peck out their eyes. Additionally, the tales illustrate the grim realities of the era, such as the abandonment of children in Hansel and Gretel who are left to perish in the woods due to their parents’ inability to care for them, and a mother threatening to murder her daughters in The Starving Children as they face starvation. Over time and through numerous adaptations, the original terrifying elements of these stories have significantly diminished.

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