The representation and effects of the seven deadly sins in fairy tales

Abstract

Each collection of Fairy tales is written in a way that reflects the culture of the time; if any valuable information or lessons are to be brought out of them, they should be in relation to what is considered to be important to that particular culture. The fairy tales as retold by the Grimm Brothers in the nineteenth century have a basic role of teaching valuable lessons to children as well as what they should do when faced with specific situations of right and wrong. In obtaining this understanding, children should be better equipped with the skills needed in order to live a meaningful and culturally rich life; but what is it exactly about these tales that provides this understanding? By seeing the inclusion of the seven deadly sins in this particular collection, this dissertation will show how their portrayal in various elements of the tales primarily brings out a clear distinction between what is right and what is wrong. It will see how it is in defeating the wrong and sinful aspects of the tales that morality is achieved; however it will also question the benefit of completely removing elements of the sin within the self, and what the effects of a mean level of the sins might imply.