German 270: From the Grimms to Disney
Spring 2008

Study Guide for In-Class Test: April 15, 2008

This test will consist of multiple-choice questions and short essays. It is intended to monitor your knowledge of the assigned readings and class lectures over the course of the semester and will cover material from the beginning of the semester through the “Little Red Riding Hood” unit.

For this test you will need to know:

definitions of relevant concepts
approximate dates of major authors/works (e.g., Grimms = first half of 19th century)
authors/titles
differences between versions of the same tale
historical background of major works
general arguments of the critics we have been reading

List of possible topics:

Charles Perrault:

when? (century)
what?
names of 8 tales in his collection
versions of his tales assigned in class
historical/cultural context: where
intended audience
values stressed

DEFA Fairy Tales

when
what cultural context
changes to the tales
intended audience
values stressed

Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm

when? (century)
1810-1812 v. later editions: general nature of changes, who made changes
versions of his tales assigned in class
historical/cultural context: where
for whom did they write the tales
difference between Grimms’ and Perrault’s versions of tale
myth of Grimms collecting tales
themes of many Grimms’ tales
values stressed
characterization of villain

Walt Disney/Disney Corporation

versions of tales
changes made to older versions
values stressed
themes
characterization of villain
characterization of “good fairies”
marketing strategies
intended audience
cultural context

Reading v. watching fairy tales

Sanitizing folk tales over time (Zipes, Bottigheimer)

sexuality
bodily functions
obscenity
violence

Tales as a tool to teach children lessons

punishments for misbehavior
rewards for good behavior
Alice Miller’s position on harsh discipline in “Poisonous Pedagogy”
18th & 19th century German educational techniques quoted by Miller
Struwwelpeter
feminist/non-feminist lessons in tales (Lieberman, Gilbert & Gubar, Snyder, Zipes)
Bruno Bettelheim
Zipes on “Abandonment & Abuse”

Cartoons & War: Disney’s propaganda & wartime films

Tales covered:

versions of “Hansel & Gretel”
versions of “Snow White”
versions of “Sleeping Beauty”
versions of Little Red Riding Hood, The Grandmother’s Tale