The Brothers Grimm and the adaptation by MGM of the classic Hansel and Gretel have many differences and similarities, but they aren' very drastic..  The biggest difference is probably the mother/stepmother.  In the MGM version the mother is the children's birth mother. When the mom sends them out to get berries for dinner she feels awful because they could've lost their way or been attacked by the evils of the forest. The Grimm version is the opposite. The stepmother wants to get rid fo the kids because there isn't much food. The husband is a baby in both version who complies with everything the demanding stepmom says. I personally think the stepmother adds another dimension to the story and makes it more interesting because there is a disconnect in the family.In the movie the witch is also different because at first she is nice and acts like she wants to be their friend. Hansel even calls her Grandma. Its the opposite in the Grimm version.  In the MGM version Hansel and Gretel go in the forest once and get lost  while in the other version Hansel uses bread crumbs and pebbles.  Hansel is very protective in both versions when it comes to Gretel. In the end of both versions Gretel saves her brother by throwing the witch into the oven. for the most part the main plot stayed the same. We still get all of the same motifs and lessons from both versions.

What is a Fairytale?

I believe that a fairytale is a narrative that takes place in a fantasy realm where anything can happen. It is magical and goes against the laws of reality. It is a place of princes and princesses, witches, ogres, and dwarves. It is a lesson, not only for children, but for adults as well. It teaches morals and opens the imagination to all sorts of possibilities. A fairytale is simple, but in a way that makes it interesting. In the end good prevails over evil, and above all, everyone lives happily ever after.

Why This Course?

When i first skimmed through the list of available FYS courses only one caught my eye, "From Grimm to Disney". Disney holds a special place in my heart, and in the hearts of people all around the world. Disney is magical, not only because of the wonderous stories, but in the fact that it touches people of all ages, races, and gender. No matter who you are or where you're from we can all relate in someway to the stories and lessons that these masterpieces tell.  For me as a child Disney was an escape. I spent the first ten years of my life in the fostercare system in Baltimore. Fostercare can be a scary place for a child. A lot of kids are emotionally damaged because of the lack of attention and security. Kids question themselves and feel rejection because their parents, the people who should care the most for them just gave them away. Whenever I was scared, lonely, or feeling down on myslef i knew that Disney would always be there to put a smile on my face. I dont know much in the way of fairytales but my favorite disney movie is without question The Lion King. It taught me to never forget who i am as a person, and that you can't run from your past, eventhough it may hurt. The past is what defines you as a person. Everything you go through shapes you into who you are today. If you try to run from the past you will never learn anything or truly understand who you are as a person. Disney will never die. It's one of those things that lives on forever, not only on the screen but inside everyone who watches. I know that everyone out there can look back and learn from the classics and carry the lessons and morals from them that I have taken and applied to my life. Disney has taught me so much more than any school or education could. It has taught me about life, and everything that it should be. I hope that this course will broaden my perspective on the magical world that i have seen through so many Disney movies, and teach me more about myself.

Remember Who You Are

Lion King: Simba's Roar

Tarzan - Strangers Like Me

Colors of the Wind

Hercules - I Can Go The Distance (Full in English)

The Lion King 3D Trailer