ENG 102 - Hansel and Gretel

Analyze the Fairy Tale

Questions to Ask Yourself

When and where did the story take place? (place and time)

What is the atmosphere? (historical / sociological)

How is the story told? (narrative / point of view)

What language is used? (style, tone, and irony)

Who are the main characters? (protagonist / antagonist / others)

Are there symbols used? (symbols)

How does the plot help the reader understand the theme?

• What is the dramatic moment?  What is the conflict?
• What is the moment of climax? (turning point / illumination / understanding)
• How does the story end? (resolution)

Compare how each version adapts the core narrative elements: 

• Character dynamics and power relationships 
• Setting and atmosphere 
• Central conflicts 
• Resolution and moral messages 

Examine the rhetorical strategies used in each version: 

• How does each version appeal to its audience? 
• What cultural values are reflected? 
• How does the medium affect the message? 

Consider the historical and cultural context: 

• What contemporary concerns does each version address? 
• How do changing attitudes about childhood, family, and survival influence each telling? 
• What role does the medium play in shaping the message? 

Search Tips

In order to help you find more sources about your topic, you'll want to identify search terms, also known as keywords, to help you search.

As you think about what concepts you want to research, think about what particular words might be found in a good article about that topic.  

Try searching using the name of the fairy tale and the them you are interested in.

Examples:

• "Hansel and Gretel" and adaptation
• "Hansel and Gretel" and film
• "Hansel and Gretel" and stepmother

You can try a broader search by sticking to the fairy tale genre or the Grimm brothers.

Examples:

• "fairy tale" and evolution
• "fairy tale" and feminism
• Grimm AND stepmother

Keywords work best by trial-and-error. Never do only one search. Some keywords will work better than others.​

Consider synonyms or words that may bring up articles that include your topic. Below are a few examples:

Revenge --- Vengeance

Death --- Mortality --- Murder

Remember to also use "Search Within Results" option to search further into your results.

Use "Ctrl + F" to search for specific words within a particular article.

And remember to ask a librarian if you need assistance coming up with keywords or looking for sources.