Contrasting Feelings in Perraults Cinderella and Grimms Aschenputtle

Charles Perraults Cinderella and Wilhelm and Jacob Grimms Aschenputtel both feature a mistreated, yet kind heroine who, despite overwhelming obstacles, attends a b both and marries a prince. However, the similarities between these two versions of the sprite tale end here. While Perraults version emphasizes the moral and materialistic concerns of his middle-class audience, Grimms taper is on the harsh realities of aliveness associated with the peasant culture. Perrault immediately connects with the materialistic values of his middle-class audience as he describes in detail the pampered lifestyle of Cinderellas step-sisters who lay in rooms with beautify floors upon beds of the newest fashion (Classics, 17). Once invited to the ball, the step-sisters contemplate what they will wear. One decides on her red velvet suit with French trimmings, while the other chooses to accentuate her bet with a diamond stomacher (Classics, 18). While Perrault describes in detail the p ampered lifestyle of this bourgeoisie family, he says much less about the appearance of the misfortunate Cinderella.While Cinderellas turn is of little interest to Perraults audience, her rare goodness and sweetness of temper (Classics, 17) are esteemed values desired by all the middle-class. When called upon to arrange the hair of her unsympathetic step-sisters for the ball, we are told that anyone but Cinderella would have dressed their hair awry, but she was good-natured, and arranged it perfectly well (Classics, 18). After arriving at the ball with the help of a fairy godmother, and winning the affection of the desirable prince, Cinderella sat down with her sisters showing them a thousand civilities(Classics, 20). Her rare goodness ... ...igeons pluck out her step-sisters eyes to repay them for all the evil they brought upon her.Although the heroines in Aschenputtle and Cinderella both manage to attend the ball and marry the prince despite mistreatment and unreasonable dem ands, the two versions of the popular fairy tale leave the lecturer with contrasting feelings. These contrasts can be understood when considering the writers audiences. The violence and references to nature found in Aschenputtle are commonplace in the peasant culture of which the Grimms were fascinated, while the focus on the pampered lifestyle of the bourgeoisie family, and the kindness of Cinderella are aspects Perraults middle-class audience desires.REFERENCEGriffith, John W and Charles H. Frey. The Custom Edition of Classics of Childrens Literature Fourth Edition. bare-ass Jersey Upper Saddle River, 1996.