Listen&Learn: Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Posted by: Jaksyn PeacockPre-listening vocabulary
- fairy tale: a fantasy children’s story that often has a moral
- interpretation: a retelling of a written work
- inappropriate: not right for a certain audience
- criticize: to talk about the problems with something
- antisemitic: hateful or discriminatory towards Jewish people
- relevant: important for a certain situation
Listening activity
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:14 — 1.1MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More
Gapfill exercise
Comprehension questions
1. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were brothers.
2. The original title of the book was
The original title of the book was Children's and Household Tales.
3. Compared to modern interpretations, the Grimms' stories are considered
Compared to modern interpretations, the Grimms' stories are considered more disturbing.
Discussion/essay questions
- Why is it important to be aware of harmful messages in fiction?
- What do you think makes fairy tales so influential?
Transcript
Grimm’s Fairy Tales is a collection of short stories by German brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. It was published in 1812, originally titled Children’s and Household Tales. Many well-known children’s stories are based on these German folk tales, such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel. However, the original stories are much darker than the interpretations we know today. Although they were written for children, many of the Grimms’ stories contain violent and disturbing scenes. Even at the time, some people thought the stories were inappropriate for children. They have also been criticized for their antisemitic messages. However, the Grimms’ collection is still relevant because of its influence on the stories of today.
Search for more Listen&Learn stories:
Subscribe to EnglishClub Podcasts
22 comments
-
abdolmonem says:
It’s important to be aware of harmful messages because it may be cause of crime
Because it’s based on folks tales -
English Club Indonesia says:
Harmful messages can get carried away without the reader’s realization, especially by the underage. Fairy tales are not really influential, but this type of story has big potential. It is liked by children and can be made into different kinds of adaptations.
-
Damian says:
1. Because influences in the children’s
2. -
Rafael says:
I like a lot these articles about different topics. I have learnt a lot and keep studying every day. Please sometimes the audios are not very good. Could You please get them better. You are doing WONDERFUL JOB.
-
Rafael says:
I like a lot these articles about different topics. I ha learnt a lot ando keep studying every day. Please sometimes the audios are not very good. Could You please get them better. You are doing WONDERFUL JOB.
-
Cristina says:
Is incredible to know that the Grimm’s fairy tales have the antisemitic messages. Thank for sharing!
-
Haneen abdalatif matar says:
.
-
zainab ameer says:
.
-
Zainab Hussain Khalil Almansi says:
.
-
ayat says:
.
-
Noemia Levy says:
Each story contain useful and precious informations for increase our learning.I am grateful!
-
Jack Liu says:
Very good and interesting!
-
Samuel says:
VERY INTERESTING, BECOUSE SHORT ANSWER CAN HELP ME TO IMPROVE ENGLES.
THANKS -
HAÏDARA says:
It’s a very nice tale
Thanks for sharing -
MAURO says:
It’s a pedagogic way to teach English.
Congratulations and thanks very much. -
Natalia says:
Thank you. It’s a great way to learn English.
-
Nathalia Henny Mayasari says:
Thank you for sharing!
-
JOÃO BATISTA EMILIANO says:
Thanks a million for the improvement contribution.
-
Kaby says:
Thank you for sharing this interesting stories with us.
-
The King Of Love From IRAN says:
Thank you for sharing it,
-
Isabel says:
Short but with amazing details.
-
Christine PENNEC says:
interesting