Features of English and German folk tales

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A COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTIC OF CHARACTERS IN ENGLISH AND GERMAN FAIRY TALES

Yerofeyeva Marina

There is no doubt English folk tales are different from Russian ones. They have all different: storyline and space, genre and plot. All this allows you to learn the culture and life of England and different stages of its history. The specific information and certain facts are in the heart of the English fairy tales. Consequently, this means that the English fairy tales are not fabulous, but rather sad stories. They do not always have a happy end, sometimes they can be cruel. The main character can be presented as a practical and very smart man, but unfriendly and dishonest. He is capable of tricks and deception, although he is different in pushfulness and energy. The traits that were valued in the bourgeois England where capitalism began to develop. For example, Molly in the fairy tale "Molly Whuppie " and Jack in the fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk " seek for happiness for themselves and their beloved people while cheating ogres.

Characters of other British tales are hard-working, honest, noble and brave, and some of them have become real national heroes. Take Jack, a peasant's son, the character of the fairy tale "Jack the Giant-Killer", thinks only about the award, coming to grips with the ogres, but then becomes a true fighter for the liberation of his people from rigid villains. The main motive of the English tale is to avoid failure. The characters do not try to achieve anything, but try to escape failure. But it is also worth mentioning that there is not any reason in the English folk tale. The main characters' activities are not determined by their own desires, but also their duty and external circumstances. For example take a fairy tale, "Mr. Mike," in which a little boy Tommy fights for behaving well not to be eaten by Mr. Mike. Thus, in the fairy tale «The Magic Horn” greedy characters wish to receive horn. Or, for instance , in a fairy tale, " Tom Tit Tot " the main character is not a very smart girl who does not know how to spin five skeins of yarn per day , as her mother wanted her to do , but could only eat five puddings at once . However, the character finds a way out of this situation, by finding a wonderful helper for herself. Peasants, farmers, wizards and goblins are mainly characters in English fairy tales. There is often such a woman character who is brave and absolutely fearless. English fairy tales are very diverse involving fictional characters, evil forces and heroic tales of ogres and their control of the hero who is usually a representative of the common people.

The analysis of German folk tales reveals the following trends and patterns of the convention: the most common subjects are about humiliated and deprived people's fates ("Cinderella"), where the truth should always prevail. The motive of a docile wife is frequently enough ("Der Frieder und das Katerliesschen") - a kind of mockery at sheepish spouses, and the relationship between people through the description of absurd conflict social scenes from the point of view of an average German. english german folk tale

In many fairy tales with the help of fiction and witty jokes such universal human vices as laziness, greed, envy and avarice are put on public trial. This human faulds are embodied through the images of animals, the features of which are differentiated by the characteristic of the Russian characters of the animal world. For example, in the German fairy tales the Hare is haughty and proud, The Cat - cunning and resourceful. The Mouse - trusting and kind, but The Hedgehog - smart, venturesome and dodgy. In the fairy tale «Katze und Maus in Gesellschaft» The Cat secretly eats a pot with butter, artfully encircling The Mouse around his finger. Finally, he eats the Mouse that learns about his friend's artful deception. The characters of fairy tales are craftsmen, soldiers, peasants - come to the fight with dragons, ferocious giants, witches, but they always appear to be smarter and braver. The fate always rewards a simple peasant girl, unloved step-daughter or a kind-hearted shepherd for their honesty and hard work. But along with the theme of confrontation between good and evil, where supernatural powers help the characters, their troubles are replaced by well-being due to loyalty and kindness. In the German fairy tales there are also instructive, hilarious stories about the relationship between a man and a fantastic creature («Der Riese und der Schneider »,« Der Bauer und der Teufel »,« Die Wichtelmaenner ») .

German Witches live in beautiful , neat and tidy houses which are made of pastry, pies and sugar cakes «... es war aber ein kleines Gдrtchen an dem verwьnschten Hдuschen, darin standen zwцlf Lilien Blumen». They are predictable, consistent, and, of course, responsible. Their houses are always in order with comfort where everything is highly organized and has its place. All this shows the mentality and the national character of the Germans. They are always consistent, precise and accurate. The most popular tales are social tales. They mainly reflect the real life of the people. They lack the elements of fiction, but myth and exaggeration, which are easy to guess, help understand the image and personality of the character. A satirical beginning, which expresses sympathy for people is strongly demonstrated there. The Germans focus on industry, refractory nature, rationality, which, in their opinion, are the basis for the formation of the representative of each nation. Several types of plots clearly stand out in common German fairy tales. For example, the life of the spouses describing the relationship between a smart husband and a stupid and lazy wife. The Germans comprehend the basics of a German traditional marriage («Der Frieder und das Katerliesschen»).

Fairy tales are the most ancient creations of the human spirit. A tale is one of the most popular and favorite genres in the folklore and literature. Growing up, we read the stories ourselves, and they will be read and studied for a long time. While reading these tales, we always penetrate into their both magical and simultaneously real world. Every fairy-tale image entering our imagination becomes brighter than any film or television footage. This is not a trouble. After all, a fairy tale is a perfect work of the national spirit honoured over centuries or even millennia. As long as humanity exists, they need a dream, and, therefore, they cannot do without a tale that inspires, gives hope, amuses and comforts.

Literature

1. Введенский А.под редакцией С. Маршака. По изданию "Братья Гримм. Сказки" М.:"Детская литература", 1991

2. Катасонова Е.Н.Литературные сказки зарубежных писателей, М.: Детская литература (Москва), 1982 г.

3. Пропп В.Я. Исторические корни волшебной сказки. - С-П.: Лабиринт, 1998.

4. Тер-Минасова С.Г. Язык и межкультурная коммуникация / С.Г. Тер-Минасова - М.: Слово, 2002. - 264 с.

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