English 10A - Analyzing Idea Development in an Essay

In 1808, their friend, the romantic poet Clemens Brentano, asked them to collect all types of folk tales so he could use them in a book of literary fairy tales. In 1810, they sent him fifty-four texts, which they fortunately copied. Fortunately, because Brentano then lost the manuscript in the Ölenberg Monastery in Alsace and never used the Grimms' texts. When they realized that Brentano was not going to use the tales, they decided, upon the advice of another romantic writer and mutual friend, Achim von Arnim, to publish their collection. It had grown to eighty-six tales, which they published in 1812, and then another seventy, which they published in 1815. -"How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale," Jack Zipes What structural technique does the writer use in this passage?

The writer describes events in chronological order.

The stories the Brothers Grimm first collected are brusque, blunt, absurd, comical, and tragic, and are not, strictly speaking, "fairy tales." In fact, the Grimms never intended the tales to be read by children. The tales are about children and families and how they reacted to the difficult conditions under which they lived. The Grimms thought the stories and their morals emanated naturally from the German people in an oral tradition, and they wanted to preserve them before the tales were lost forever. In gathering the tales, the Grimms made a unique contribution to folklore, and their Kinder- und Hausmärchen (Children and Household Tales) is even listed by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Registry. It was in large part their first edition, published in two volumes in 1812 and 1815, that inspired folklorists in Europe and Great Britain to gather tales from their oral traditions to preserve as part of their cultural heritage. -"How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale," Jack Zipes Which details best support the idea that the Grimms' tales are important folklore? Check all that apply.

- Folklorists in other countries were inspired by the Grimms' tales. - The UNESCO Memory of the World Registry lists an edition of the tales. - The tales come from the German oral tradition.

What compelled the Grimms to concentrate on old German epics, tales, and literature was a belief that the most natural and pure forms of culture—those which held the community together—were linguistic and based in history. According to them, modern literature, even though it might be remarkably rich, was artificial and thus could not express the genuine essence of Volk culture that emanated naturally from experience and bound the people together. Therefore, all their efforts went toward uncovering stories from the past. -"How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale," Jack Zipes Which details from the text best support the author's purpose? Check all that apply.

- Old German tales once held communities together. - Older stories often expressed the essence of Volk culture. - Epics and other tales were linguistic and based in history.

Which evidence best supports the conclusion that the Grimms' fairy tales were not meant for children? Check all that apply.

- Some of the tales discuss wars and other conflicts of the time. - Many of the stories tell about the horrifying and brutal treatment of children. - The tales often reveal the harsh living conditions of the 19th century.

In their preface, the Grimms explained their interest in the culture of the common people, and their intention in recording their tales: "It was perhaps just the right time to record these tales since those people who should be preserving them are becoming more and more scarce. . . . Wherever the tales still exist, they continue to live in such a way that nobody ponders whether they are good or bad, poetic or crude. People know them and love them because they have simply absorbed them in a habitual way. And they take pleasure in them without having any reason. This is exactly why the custom of storytelling is so marvelous." In short, the Grimms' first collection was shaped as an archaeological excavation and as a book for adults and for scholars. Their tales were not to be classified as children's stories, not even today. -"How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale," Jack Zipes What is the central idea of this passage?

- The Grimms' first collection of tales was a cultural study intended for a scholarly audience.

Which details develop the central idea that the Grimms collected stories to preserve culture? Check all that apply.

- The tales of the Grimm Brothers demonstrate how language and customs can create a bond between people. - The Grimm Brothers recorded the stories because fewer and fewer people were collecting and preserving them. - Their stories reveal truths about the conditions people lived in when the tales were recorded.

What compelled the Grimms to concentrate on old German epics, tales, and literature was a belief that the most natural and pure forms of culture—those which held the community together—were linguistic and based in history. According to them, modern literature, even though it might be remarkably rich, was artificial and thus could not express the genuine essence of Volk culture that emanated naturally from experience and bound the people together. Therefore, all their efforts went toward uncovering stories from the past. -"How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale," Jack Zipes What is the author's purpose for writing the essay "How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale"?

- to inform readers of the reasons why the Grimms collected their tales

In contrast to the final 1857 edition, most of the tales in the first edition are shorter and sparser. They have a rawness that was later to be refined. For example, "Rapunzel" is embellished a great deal in the final edition: First Edition Once upon a time there lived a husband and wife who had been wishing for a child for many years, but it had all been in vain. Finally, the woman became pregnant. Now, in the back of their house the couple had a small window that overlooked a fairy's garden filled with all kinds of flowers and herbs. But nobody ever dared to enter it. Seventh Edition Once upon a time there was a husband and wife who for quite some time had been wishing in vain for a child. Finally, the dear Lord gave the wife a sign of hope that their wish would be fulfilled. Now, in the back of their house the couple had a small window that overlooked a splendid garden filled with the most beautiful flowers and herbs. The garden, however, was surrounded by a high wall, and nobody dared enter it because it belonged to a sorceress, who was very powerful and feared by all. -"How the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale," Jack Zipes Why does the author include excerpts from two versions of the story of "Rapunzel"?

to show how the Grimms added details to make the story more vivid for readers