Fairy tales teach children that particular people should adopt certain roles and attitudes. The fairy tale suggests that women, men, and children all act in different ways that are specifically appropriate for them. In the book Rapunzel the wife is shown as determined, demanding, and unfulfilled. The woman knows what she wants, and when she manages to get it she is still not satisfied. The passage, “Each day her longing increased until she became pale and sickly and would take no other food,” displays her determination in getting what she desires (Ehrlich 2). The woman was willing to die just to eat the certa

The husband in Rapunzel is depicted as somewhat different than the wife. The man is very submissive to his wife. The line, “Her husband, who loved her, knew he would have to bring her the rapunzel she wanted, no matter what the cost,” offers the assumption that men obey their wives and will do anything to please them (Ehrlich 4). The fallacious idea is placed in children’s minds and is, therefore, expected later in life. Fairy tales that provide incorrect beliefs about people are simply setting children up for disappointment.

The book Rapunzel is completely based around one feature of the girl. Rapunzel’s stunning long hair is commented on throughout the book. One passage reads, “Rapunzel had magnificent long hair, as fine as spun gold” (Ehrlich 11). The purpose of the girl’s long, beautiful hair is to show that hair is a big part of a woman’s looks. Hair is an important factor determining how children perceive beauty. Danielson and Harrington comment that, “Hairstyles are one way in which children and adults establish their identities” (59). Rapunzel is deeply saddened when the witch cuts off her hair. Her sorrow wrongly informs children that short hair is not as beautiful as long hair. Misleading comments in fairy tales suggest drastic ideas of beauty to children, which causes them to judge other people against perfection. Danielson and Harrington notice the beauty issues that are found in fairy tales and mention the importance of teaching children different outlooks. They say that, “It is important to educate children about cultural differences hair can represent and to help them foster a positive body image” (59). Children need to be taught to realize that fairy tales are not the only view

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