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Folk tales are an integral part of the culture of any nation. These stories were passed down from generation to generation and were constantly interpreted depending on the time period. It is essential to understand that each folk tale carried a special message, which was instructive in conception. In other words, they were the bearers of morality for the younger generation and, to this day, have exceptional value. Such stories as Cinderella and Vasilisa the Beautiful are excellent examples of the fact that kindness and good intentions always defeat evil. Due to the fact that both works are the product of folklore, there is no exact data that would indicate their exact origin. Vasilisa the Beautiful is a Russian fairy tale, and the most famous version of it was written by Alexander Afanasyev and was first published in 1977. Cinderella also has many different interpretations, but within the framework of this essay, the version written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812 will be analyzed. Therefore, these folk tales have a similar story and message with such minor differences as different patrons of the main characters.
First of all, it is necessary to consider the similarities that the folklore works under study have. Henceforth, Vasilisa the Beautiful and Cinderella are based on stories describing unfortunate events in the lives of two girls who lost their mothers and were ruled by stepmothers who did not love them. Moreover, in both cases, the main characters had stepsisters who constantly bullied them and made their lives more difficult and unhappy. Both girls in the studied fairy tales have the same character type; they are kind, obedient, and hardworking.
Another especially striking similarity is the guardians presence in both girls lives who helped them cope with difficulties. Moreover, both were related to their mothers, who passed away. For example, in the Brothers Grimms Cinderella, the main character was guarded by her mother through a walnut tree, which she planted on her grave (Grimm and Grimm 4). Vasilisa, in turn, was helped by a doll that her mother gave her right before her death, thereby blessing her daughter (Afanasyev 3). This aspect is also one of the main differences since Vasilisa was helped and warned by a doll she always carried with her, and her mothers spirit assisted Cinderella.
A distinctive feature of the endings of the works is the difference in the relationship between the step-family and the main characters. Having married the Tsar, Vasilisa forgives people who used her and did everything to make her life even worse, showing generosity and dignity (Afanasyev 26). In the Brothers Grimms Cinderella, birds that were sent by the spirit of the girls mother poke out the eyes of both half-sisters of the character (Grimm and Grimm 20). Thus, they receive punishment for the prolonged bullying of Cinderella.
It is worth noting that the stories of Cinderella and Vasilisa regarding the endings are unique. Hence, Cinderella meets the prince at the ball, at the end, she loses a shoe found by a young man, who begins searching for a mysterious stranger (Grimm and Grimm 15). Finally meeting his beloved, he immediately marries her, and Cinderella leaves the house where she experienced so much trouble. Having become an assistant to the old woman, Vasilisa began to spin shirts from such a thin fabric that the Tsar wanted them to be saddled even more (Afanasyev 21). When he saw that a young girl was engaged in creating clothes, he fell in love with her without memory and took her as his wife.
Folklore fairy tales Cinderella and Vasilisa the Beautiful carry an explicit and instructive meaning, which adults and children can easily determine. Bettelheim stated that tales tell about the inner problems of human beings, and of the right solutions to their predicaments in any society (250). From these stories, children can isolate the lesson that kindness, patience, and dedication are among the most valuable qualities. Moreover, committing evil acts or actions can lead to punishment and other undesirable consequences.
In conclusion, the works of folklore are a valuable source of morality. Hence, such fairy tales as Cinderella and Vasilisa the Beautiful both teach that good has the highest power, and evil only destroys a person. Moreover, these works have a similar plot, which tells about the hard life of two young girls. Insignificant differences characterize the endings of fairy tales, in one of which Vasilisa forgives her detractors, and Cinderellas stepsisters receive punishment from the spirit of the mother.
Works Cited
Bettelheim, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales. Vintage, 2010.
Afanasyev, Alexander. Vasilisa the Beautiful and Baba Yaga. The Planet, 2017.
Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Cinderella. HarperCollins. 2020.
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