How many people have heard the originals of the fairy tales before they got edited for kids?

Question

I mean back when they were full of innuendo, blood, death, murder.... you know, the good stuff.

Answer 1

Add me to your count of those who have read the originals! I collect books of folk tales & myths from around the world. Kind of shocking when you first read some of those original versions, isn't it?! In addition to the grim Grimm's fairy tales, check out the original version of the Thousand and One Nights. One of the stories in there is Ali Baba & the 40 Thieves. Because Ali Baba was turned into a cartoon, you start off thinking the rest of the stories under that title are also appropriate for children. Not so! It's hard to find the original, uncut 17 volume translation by Richard Burton (the adventurer, not the actor), but if you do, it's definitely worth reading. BTW, Richard Burton was also the one who translated the Kama Sutra (not exactly Disney material). The original versions of many Greek myths (and other myths) are also pretty brutal, and not nearly as nice as they're frequently portrayed. Then there are the stories that are changed to make them more "politically correct." No matter what you like, or why, it's good to know there are earlier versions, and that they can be VERY different. Thanks for the question!

Answer 2

All of the original "Disney movies" (Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty) was adapted from the Brothers Grimm. Their stories were morality plays for children. They didn not always have the squeeky clean endings you see in the "toons" from Disney. In the end of Cinderella, the evil step sisters get their eyes plucked out by ravens, earlier in the story they cut off their heels and toes to fit the slipper (yuck). Snow white is actually called Snow White and Rose Red (who was her sister). That story isn't to pretty also. The brothers grimm wrote thier stories to scare the children into behaving, not straying from home, or talking to strangers. Even Hansel and Gretel have them shoving the witch into the oven and baking her.

If Disney made them as they were origingally written they would have to put an R rating.

Answer 3

Yeah, they were for kids AND adults, back then. But at the time, remember, people were much closer to death, disease and dirt than most of us are today. They killed their food in their own kitchens and yards, dumped buckets of "night dirt" in the street outside their homes, and died of horrible disease at an age when most of us (well, me, anyway) are just starting to really enjoy life - like their 40s.
Today, we are not as used to such things. Perhaps we should be. Perhaps the increasing violence and porn and ugliness of broadcast media is a good thing, helping us to inure our babes to the "realities" of life - murder, whores, decomposing corpses, explosions, body parts, vomit (when did THAT become so common on TV?), disease ... Maybe the video is today's Grimm's Fairy Tales and we should just chill and let our children watch two hairless adults pummel/screw/curse at each other ...

What are you THINKING?

Answer 4

My degree is in English with a minor in children's lit, so yes, I'm aware of the original versions of the seemingly innocuous fairy tales. In their original context they were very violent, graphic, and filled with subtle sexuality. Makes one wonder what all the fuss was about with Judy Blume's early works or J.K. Rowling's fabulous Potter series.

Peace.

Answer 5

I loved the original Grimm Brothers' Cinderella!

Answer 6

They're still around. Check your local library for "unabridged" versions of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson.

Answer 7

yeah, I actually bought a book of fairytales for when my daughter was first born, quite brutal and callous some of those tales, a little scarey too. Remember Hansel and Gretel?, that fairytale use to give me nightmares,lol

Answer 8

My parents told some to me, I read others when I was older. Not exactly my cup of tea, but more meaningful than the edited ones.

Answer 9

Very graphic stuff.. I own many of the Europen originals. Cool stuff, but not for kids.

Answer 10

I nearly fell off my chair when I read the original Cinderella... Something about how when her stepsisters tried on the shoe, their feet were too big and the shoe cut their feet and they started bleeding... eugh!