Bluebeard

Bluebeard folktales are ones that are classified as AT 312. These stories are ones that
share the central idea of women whose brothers rescue them from their ruthless husbands or
abductors (Bluebeard). Within the category are two stories: Bluebeard by Charles Perrault
(France) and The Little Boy and His Dogs by Joel Chandler Harris (America). Bluebeard was
first published in 1697 by Barbin. Similarly, The Little Boy and His Dogs was first published in
1889 by Joel Chandler Harris himself, in his book Daddy Jake, the Runaway: And Short Stories
Told After Dark. Although Joel Chandler Harris is from the Post-Reconstruction Era, his stories,
were ones that dealt with he topic of slavery, thus the reason as to why his stories were ones
that were considered of African American origin.
One element the two stories share is the function of interdiction, in which rules are set up
for a character to follow. In Perraults version, Bluebeard strictly forbids his wife from opening
one specific door. Through the use of interdiction, it shows the power that Bluebeard held over
his wife. This is due to French belief that women were inferior (Alexandre, Daniele). Through
Bluebeards command and belief that his wife were to follow his rules, it shows the status of
power between husband and wife. Similarly, Harriss version depicts interdiction when both the
mother and son provide rules for each other. The mother commands the little boy to escort two
ladies against his will. In return, the little boy also commands his mother to let his dogs loose
and to guide them to his whereabouts, once a certain signal is made. This difference can be
accounted from their cultures belief that strict behavioral standards, should be balanced with
strong support and affection (Barbarin, Oscar). Although the boy did not want to guide the two
ladies and begged his mother not to let him go, he had to ultimately obey her wishes. Thus, as a
return he asked his mother to unleash his dogs to find him after a signal was made. The mother
did this, to support the sons wishes for obeying her. This deal depicts the parenting and
discipline that is supported through African American culture.
The character motif, Villain, is present in both stories as well. Bluebeard was the villain in
Perraults story. Similarly, it is to represent the social hierarchy that was labeled between
husband and wife back in the old days (Alexandre, Daniele). Because the wife disobeyed her
husband, violating her Superiors rules, Bluebeard decided to kill his wife. This shows that he is
punishing her, for as an inferior, she did not follow the rules. In Harriss story, the Bear family
that kidnapped his sister served as villains. The reason for this, is because Harris wanted to
depict African American culture. During the time of slavery, slaves would tell oral stories in which
various animals took on the characteristics of the people (African-American Folktales and
Their Use in an Integrated Curriculum). It was common for most African American tales to
integrate an animal of some sort, into the story. By using animals as villains, Harris was able to
depict African American culture within his story.
Cinderella
Cinderella is a folk tale that is classified as AT 510 A, with the general motif of the
persecuted heroine. One version of this tale, Aschenputtel, by the Brothers Grimm, is a
German version that was recorded in the 19th century. This specific version is one that was
written in an effort to not only avoid the moralistic or overly didactic educational value that
most versions of Cinderella were perceived to be, but to be one that served as an educational
primer of the European civilizing process (Zipes).
One convention that was evident within the tale, was the convention of setting: Once
upon a time there was a rich man who lived happily with his wife for a long time. Through the
use of this convention, it is removing the story from the real world. It describes the location and
time of when the story is taking place. However, the story still reflects the world and culture that
the tale is based on. Through the use of the phrase Once upon a time, it is depicting stories

and personal experiences of the German folks that the Grimm Brothers collected their tales
from. In doing this, they investigated the distant past and saw in antiquity the foundation of all
social institutions of their days (Brothers Grimm). Through the use of this convention, they were
also able to depict who the prime readers were. Because the tales of the Grimm brothers were
ones there were for middle class women reading to their children, the tale is based on
aristocracy, which is seen when describing Cinderellas rich dad.
The archetypal character of magic helpers, is also another convention that impacted the
story. In the Grimms version, two white pigeons helped Cinderella throughout the story with
various tasks, such as helping her attend the ball. Through the use of two white pigeons, it
represents the Germans religious beliefs. During the 19th century, Germany was predominantly
Christian (Religion in Germany). The white pigeons are symbols of God, for it was used to
represent Cinderellas deceased mother who claimed that in heaven, I shall look after you. As
helpers, they depicted God, by rewarding those with good morals, and by punishing those who
had a lack of moral judgement. This can be seen when the birds sing to the prince saying that
the step-sister was not the bride you met at the ball but rather it was Cinderella who was the
perfect fit. Sent from heaven, the two pigeons performed the act of divine retribution.
Works Cited:
"Brothers Grimm | German Folklorists and Linguists." Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
Encyclopedia Britannica. Web. 29 Jan. 2016.
"Religion in Germany." Religion in Germany. Web. 29 Jan. 2016.
Zipes, Jack. "Introduction: Rediscovering the Original Tales of the Brothers Grimm." Web.