Ashputtle

The story of Cinderella is told in many different versions all over the world. Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm capture the essence of the traditional tale with a bloodier version entitled “Ashputtle” found within their popular Grimm’s Fairy Tales collection. Unlike the familiar light-hearted story, the Grimm brothers transform the tale to take on a darker perspective. Although still fantastical, this morbid depiction reflects a more believable account of karma and consequence.
“Ashputtle,” like the traditional fairy-tale, began with a girl who lost her mother at an early age. The child’s father remarried a cold-hearted woman with two hateful daughters who mistreated the girl. The nickname “Ashputtle” was given to the child to reflect her newly acquired dirty appearance derived from her maltreatment by her stepsisters. Ashputtle was forced to act as a servant in her own home. Prior to leaving for a fair the father asked all three girls what they wanted as gifts upon his return. The two stepsisters requested lavish gifts while Ashputtle asked for a tree branch. When her father returned Ashputtle planted her sprig at her mother’s grave. The sapling grew into a tree from the many tears that Ashputtle had cried. The tree acted as a perch for birds who answered Ashputtle’s prayers and wishes. Days following there was a three-day celebration for the prince to select a bride of his choosing. Ashputtle pleaded with her stepmother to allow her to attend the ball with her sisters, but the stepmother, not wanting her to attend, created time-consuming chores. With the assistance of her feathered friends Ashputtle completed the tasks as requested. Despite Ashputtle’s efforts, her stepmother still denied her permission to attend the event. Ashputtle ran to her mother’s grave and wept. A bird in the tree heard Ashputtle’s cries and granted her wishes by giving her gowns and slippers for each night of the ball. She attended the celebration all three evenings in breath-taking gowns. Ashputtle danced with the prince each night, as he was captivated by her beauty. On the last night of the ball, one of Ashputtle’s slippers fell off as she ran home. The prince found the slipper and was determined to find the beautiful girl who fit the shoe, for she would be his bride. The prince arrived at Ashputtle’s home where each sister attempted to fit the slipper. One stepsister cut off her toe and the other her heal, so that they might deceive the prince into thinking it was her shoe. However, with a witty rhyme, the birds alerted the prince of the stepsisters’ deception. Ashputtle proved to be the owner of the slipper, the prince found his bride. At the wedding, the birds pecked out the stepsisters’ eyes for being so false and depraved. The story of “Ashputtle” differs from the more traditional “Cinderella” story by Charles Perrault in several ways. The Grimm brother’s altered story utilized dark themes and graphic violence while incorporating concepts of deception and consequences while Perrault’s “Cinderella” places emphasis on whimsical magic and forgiveness. “Ashputtle” incorporates strong, visual imagery in descriptions, such as the faces of the stepsisters being “beautiful and lily white, but their hearts were ugly and black” (628). The element of self-mutilation also displays the dark and evil mentality of the stepfamily. The stepmother’s words resonated with her dark character as she said, “Cut your toe off. Once you’re queen you won’t have to walk anymore” (632). The white doves presented a symbolic representation of the spirit of Ashputtle’s recently deceased mother, and added an ironic, child-like character to the story with riddles like “Roocoo, roocoo, No blood in the shoe. Her foot is neither long nor wide, this one is the proper bride” (632). Elements of repetition were also utilized when Ashputtle recited each night of the ball, “Shake your branches, little tree, Throw gold and silver down on me” (630-631). As evidenced by visual imagery, symbolism, and repetition, characteristics of typical fairy-tales are threaded throughout “Ashputtle,” yet the mature depiction of the tale provides readers with a darker twist on the beloved childhood narrative. The story of “Ashputtle” struck me as one that is more relatable than the familiar “Cinderella” tale. In fairy-tales wickedness is often unrealistically resolved. I grew up with the story of Perrault’s “Cinderella”. I find the Grimm brothers’ version of the tale to be more refreshing and honest. Cinderella forgot and forgave her stepsisters for their ill treatment towards her, but more believably, the stepsisters in “Ashputtle” got their eyes plucked out as a representation of karma. In traditional fairy-tales the reader rarely experiences the satisfaction of seeing the protagonist avenge the antagonist for their wrong-doings. “Ashputtle” provides this gratification through revenge and it is a more realistic representation of fate. I appreciated that the basic tenants of morality and inner-beauty were explored in “Ashputtle” similar to “Cinderella,” but I valued the depiction of gloomy realities and the consequences that accompany negative behavior that were of primary focus in “Ashputtle”. The morose portrayal of “Ashputtle” does not give the reader a warm-hearted feeling. The Grimm brothers are sure to include the key elements of the traditional fairy tale, but relay them in a way that is darker and more adult-like than in similar renditions of the story. “Ashputtle” is a tale of ultimate pay-back with an underlying theme that injustice does not go unpunished. It still portrays the plot of love and good prevailing over evil.

Bibliography: 1. Behrens, Laurence, and Leonard J. Rosen. Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum (11th Edition). 11 ed. New York: Longman, 2009. Print.

Bibliography: 1. Behrens, Laurence, and Leonard J. Rosen. Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum (11th Edition). 11 ed. New York: Longman, 2009. Print.