THERE was once upon a time a widow1 who had two daughters.2 The eldest13 was so much like her in the face and humor that whoever looked upon the daughter saw the mother. They were both so disagreeable and so proud4 that there was no living with them.
The youngest,5 who was the very picture of her father6 for courtesy and sweetness of temper,7 was withal one of the most beautiful girls8 ever seen. As people naturally love their own likeness2, this mother even doted on her eldest daughter and at the same time had a horrible aversion for the youngest--she made her eat in the kitchen and work continually.9
Among other things, this poor child was forced twice a day to draw water above a mile and a-half off the house, and bring home a pitcher3 full of it.10 One day, as she was at this fountain,11 there came to her a poor woman,12 who begged of her to let her drink.13
"Oh! ay, with all my heart, Goody,"14 said this pretty little girl; and rinsing4 immediately the pitcher, she took up some water from the clearest place of the fountain, and gave it to her, holding up the pitcher all the while, that she might drink the easier.
The good woman, having drunk, said to her:
You are so very pretty, my dear, so good and so mannerly,15 that I cannot help giving you a gift." For this was a fairy, who had taken the form of a poor country woman,16 to see how far the civility and good manners of this pretty girl would go. "I will give you for a gift,"17 continued the Fairy, "that, at every word you speak, there shall come out of your mouth either a flower or a jewel."18
When this pretty girl came home her mother scolded her for staying so long at the fountain.
"I beg your pardon, mamma," said the poor girl, "for not making more haste."
And in speaking these words there came out of her mouth two roses,19 two pearls,20 and two diamonds.21
"What is it I see there?" said the mother, quite astonished. "I think I see pearls and diamonds come out of the girl's mouth! How happens this, child?"
This was the first time she had ever called her child.
The poor creature told her frankly5 all the matter, not without dropping out infinite numbers of diamonds.
"In good faith," cried the mother, "I must send my child thither6.22 Come hither, Fanny;23 look what comes out of thy sister's mouth when she speaks. Wouldst not thou be glad, my dear, to have the same gift given thee? Thou hast nothing else to do but go and draw water out of the fountain, and when a certain poor woman asks you to let her drink, to give it to her very civilly."24
"It would be a very fine sight indeed," said this ill-bred minx,25 "to see me go draw water."
"You shall go, hussy!"26 said the mother; "and this minute."
So away she went, but grumbling7 all the way, taking with her the best silver tankard27 in the house.
She was no sooner at the fountain than she saw coming out of the wood a lady most gloriously dressed,28 who came up to her, and asked to drink. This was, you must know, the very fairy who appeared to her sister, but now had taken the air and dress of a princess, to see how far this girl's rudeness would go.
"Am I come hither," said the proud, saucy8 one, "to serve you with water, pray? I suppose the silver tankard was brought purely9 for your ladyship, was it? However, you may drink out of it, if you have a fancy."29
"You are not over and above mannerly," answered the Fairy, without putting herself in a passion. "Well, then, since you have so little breeding, and are so disobliging, I give you for a gift that at every word you speak there shall come out of your mouth a snake or a toad10."30
So soon as her mother saw her coming she cried out:
"Well, daughter?"
"Well, mother?" answered the pert hussy, throwing out of her mouth two vipers1131 and two toads12.32
"Oh! mercy," cried the mother; "what is it I see? Oh! it is that wretch13 her sister who has occasioned all this;33 but she shall pay for it"; and immediately she ran to beat her.34 The poor child fled away from her, and went to hide herself in the forest,35 not far from thence.
The King's son,36 then on his return from hunting,37 met her, and seeing her so very pretty, asked her what she did there alone and why she cried.
"Alas14! sir, my mamma has turned me out of doors."
The King's son, who saw five or six pearls and as many diamonds come out of her mouth, desired her to tell him how that happened. She thereupon told him the whole story; and so the King's son fell in love with her, and, considering himself that such a gift was worth more than any marriage portion,38 conducted her to the palace of the King his father, and there married her.39
As for the sister, she made herself so much hated that her own mother turned her off; and the miserable15 wretch, having wandered about a good while without finding anybody to take her in, went to a corner of the wood, and there died.40
1. A widow: A widow often inspires sympathy, perhaps even pity, in fairy tales, except for when she is a stepmother, too. Here the woman is not a stepmother, but she quickly loses the audience's sympathy with her abusive behavior.
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2. Two daughters: According to the Opies, "in the manuscript version of 1695 the sisters are stepsisters, the beautiful younger girl being the daughter of her father's first wife, as in Cinderella. This was doubtless the relationship in the traditional story; but Perrault probably altered it to make the situation less like that in the Cinderella story" (Opie 1974, 100). Other variants17 of the tale, such as Mother Holle, maintain the stepfamily relationships.
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3. Eldest: Eldest siblings18 are usually favored by their parents in fairy tales, perhaps due to their right of inheritance. Usually their personalities19 and lives are left undescribed beyond the explanation that they have inherited the best portion from their parents. Youngest siblings often receive the worst inheritance and must learn to fend20 for themselves, a popular fairy tale motif21.
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4. Disagreeable and so proud: "Pride goeth before a fall." This tale is a moralistic warning against pride and laziness.
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5. Youngest: Fairy tales often contain multiple siblings in which the youngest becomes the protagonist22. Traditional folklore23 is primarily interested in only children or youngest siblings. Either the youngest is the most beautiful and worthy--often female protagonists24--or the youngest is stupid and lucky--often male protagonists. In either scenario25, the youngest achieves good fortune through an adventure and/or magical helper. "It is the modest, the humble26, and often the dispossessed who are elevated to noble rank" (Tatar, 2002, 235).
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6. Father: The father has an excellent excuse for not protecting his daughter in this tale--he's dead. Other fairy tale heroines suffer from ineffective fathers, such as in Hansel and Gretel and Rumpelstiltskin.
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7. Courtesy and sweetness of temper: We are provided characters that are polar opposites so that we can see the rewards of good and bad behavior.
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8. One of the most beautiful girls: Hyperbole is frequently used to describe beauty in fairy tales. Each beautiful woman has "no equal" or is "the most beautiful" or similar. Beauty often represents goodness, worthiness28, privilege, and wealth in fairy tales. Princesses are especially expected to be beautiful. Physical beauty is often considered to represent inner beauty in folklore, except for when it is a magical disguise.
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9. Made her eat in the kitchen and work continually: The youngest, thanks to her sweet nature and beauty, has become a servant in her own home. The mother and sister's treatment of the younger daughter is reminiscent of Cinderella's abuse.
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10. Child was forced twice a day to draw water above a mile and a-half off the house, and bring home a pitcher full of it: While this sounds like a horrible chore, especially in the age of indoor plumbing29, such tasks were part of the daily existence in small villages where a fountain or well would serve as the municipal waterworks. The great distance is the greater burden since the pitcher would be heavy with no wagon30 or beast of burden to lighten the load.
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11. Fountain: Fountains or wells appear in many variants of the tale, even those with substantially different story lines, such as The Three Heads of the Well and Mother Holle. In Mother Holle, the youngest daughter drops a shuttle down the well and is told to fetch it by her stepmother despite the danger. She goes down the well and loses consciousness. She wakes up in a different world and meets Mother Holle, a benevolent31 character who appreciates the girl's industrious32 spirit.
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12. A poor woman: Most societies reverence33 acts of charity towards the elderly and destitute34. Most also teach the creed35 to "honor your elders."
In an English variant16 of the tale, The Three Heads of the Well, disembodied heads appear in the well and ask the young girl to:
‘Wash me and comb me,
And lay me down softly.
And lay me on a bank to dry,
That I may look pretty,
When somebody passes by.’
The youngest daughter performs these tasks with gentle reserve and is thus rewarded for her humble service (and perhaps her strong stomach).
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13. Who begged of her to let her drink: The woman requests a simple service, the drawing and sharing of water from a well. Many stories from around the world, for example Bible stories, center around the request for water from a well, including "Rebecca at the Well" in the Old Testament37 and "The Woman at the Well" in the New Testament.
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14. Goody: A more exact translation of Perrault's French would be "my dear lady." Goody is short for Goodwife or Goodwoman (usually used for the middle classes), a polite term of address such as Mrs. or Ms. is today, but slightly more familiar.
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15. So good and so mannerly: The woman states the exact reason why she is giving a fairy gift to the youngest daughter. It is intended to be a reward for good behavior. The tale is overtly38 didactic, explaining the rewards for good behavior and the penalties for bad behavior. In some variants, the emphasis is less on good vs. bad behavior and more on industry vs. laziness, such as in Mother Holle.
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16. This was a fairy, who had taken the form of a poor country woman: Fairies or other magical beings are frequently disguising themselves in order to test the mettle39 of characters in fairy tales. In some variations with a strong Catholic influence, the woman may be the Virgin40 Mary or another saint. In some Russian variants, the benevolent character is God himself.
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17. I will give you for a gift: In much of folklore, fairy gifts that are meant to be positive, or at least appear to be benevolent, often end up becoming curses due to the fairies' fickle41 and perverse42 spirits.
"The English fairies had indeed a code of behaviour which they exacted from the humans whom they happened to meet. Kindliness43, courtesy, open-handedness and orderly ways, these were essential to gaining their favour. They had no patience with misers44 or sluts; but these were qualities demanded in intercourse45 between humans and fairies, they were not generally a deliberate educational effort....In the French fairy tales, however, the fairies seem to have made human morals their chief concern" (Briggs 1967, 2002; 222-3).
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18. Every word you speak, there shall come out of your mouth either a flower or a jewel: There is direct symbolism between the girl's virtues46 and her fairy gift. Since her words are kind and virtuous47, they are literally48 given material value. Is this gift really a blessing49? The girl's words will forever be a nuisance and distraction50 in conversation.
In other variants of the tale, the girl receives treasures in a box, stuck on her person (which can be removed), or whenever she combs her hair. Sometimes she is blessed with eternal beauty.
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19. Two roses: Roses often symbolize51 "completion, perfection, God, beauty, paradise, Christ, and the Virgin Mary" (Olderr 1986). Roses are generally considered the most beautiful flower, esteemed52 above all over varieties.
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20. Two pearls: Pearls often symbolize "innocence53, purity, faith, wealth, health, salvation54, and self-sacrifice" (Olderr 1986).
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21. Two diamonds: Diamonds often symbolize "light, perfection, fortitude55, pride, hardness, intelligence, invulernable faith, joy, life, dignity, and wealth" (Olderr 1986). They are generally the most precious stones.
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22. I must send my child thither: The mother, horrified56 to see her youngest daughter receive such wealth, decides to send her preferred daughter to achieve the same goal. She still can't love the youngest daughter despite her new source of wealth.
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23. Fanny: Perrault used the name Fanchon in the original French version of the tale. Most translators choose the name Fanny for English translations of the tale. Fanny is a short name or nickname for Frances in English. The name has been very popular at times in history although it is not popular today. It is unusual for a fairy tale character to have a name not related to her role in the story if she has one at all.
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24. Give it to her very civilly: Civil has the meaning to be "not rude; marked by satisfactory (or especially minimal) adherence57 to social usages and sufficient but not noteworthy consideration for others" (WordNet). The eldest daughter is shown the results of good behavior and admonished58 to behave accordingly. Will she be able to overcome her bad habits?
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25. Minx: Today a minx is "a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men" (WordNet). Obsolete59 defintions of the word are "a she puppy" and a "mink60 or mink otter61" (Webster's 1990).
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26. Hussy: In this context, hussy means "a worthless woman or girl; used as a term of contempt or reproach" (Webster's 1990).
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27. Best silver tankard: A tankard is a "large drinking vessel62 with one handle" that usually has a cover (WordNet). It is usually nicer than a pitcher.
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28. A lady most gloriously dressed: In a class-conscious society, a woman of obvious wealth and social stature63 would expect gentle and humble treatment, even over a poor old woman. That the daughter cannot be kind to her "betters" shows the height of her terrible pride.
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29. However, you may drink out of it, if you have a fancy: Despite the warning and advice she received to be on her best behavior, the girl's true nature cannot be overcome. She is naturally rude and familiar. For her, this language and behavior is probably the nicest she can produce.
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30. At every word you speak there shall come out of your mouth a snake or a toad: Once again, the punishment fits the crime. Since the girl's words are rude and disgusting, she will have disgusting objects issue from her mouth whenever she speaks.
In other variants, the eldest daughter is covered with tar27 or pitch that cannot be removed, given a box of serpents, riddled64 with leprosy, or cursed with eternal ugliness.
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31. Two vipers: Vipers often symbolize "treachery, evil genius, sin, the Devil, and ingratitude65" (Olderr 1986).
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32. Two toads: Toads often symbolize "the Devil, evil spirit, vice36, injustice66, ugliness, and death" (Olderr 1986).
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33. Her sister who has occasioned all this: In the height of unfairness, the youngest sister is blamed for the failure of the eldest sister.
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34. She ran to beat her: Physical abuse was not uncommon67 in times past and was more acceptable than it is today.
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35. The forest: Woods or forests frequently appear as settings in fairy tales. Forests symbolize the female principle, the unconscious, danger, mistakes, problems, fertility, and enchantment68. They often serve as the homes for outlaws69 such as in the Robin70 Hood71 legend, fairies, or supernatural beings (Olderr 1986).
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36. The King's son: A prince is the suitor and a common character in romantic fairy tales such as this one.
When fairy tales came into being "princes and princesses were as rare as they are today, and fairy tales simply abound72 with them. Every child at some time wishes that he were a prince or a princess--and at times, in his unconscious, the child believes he is one, only temporarily degraded by circumstances. There are so many kings and queens in fairy tales because their rank signifies absolute power, such as the parent seems to hold over his child. So the fairy-tale royalty73 represent projections74 of the child's imagination" (Bettelheim 1975).
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37. Hunting: In times past, hunting was a popular activity among the nobility, used for sport and necessity. The game was often used for food, but for trophies75 as well.
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38. Considering himself that such a gift was worth more than any marriage portion: The reader is left to wonder how much the prince values his bride's charms over her continous production of wealth. Here is a girl who must wonder if she is valued only for her material riches. The prince himself decides that her special gift more than makes up for her lack of a marriage dowry.
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39. Married her: Marriage is the ultimate goal and reward in many romantic fairy tales. Despite the bridegroom's mercenary thoughts, we are intended to believe in a happily ever after for the couple.
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40. Went to a corner of the wood, and there died: While it may be harsh to call her evil, the eldest sister is definitely rude and antagonistic76. Antagonists77 usually suffer just deaths at the end of fairy tales. The eldest sister's antisocial behavior causes her to die miserable and alone in the woods.
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