The document discusses the phenomenon of "Disneyfication", where folktales and fairytales are adapted into visual media like films by Disney. These original stories often contained dark themes of death, torture, and sexuality that did not always end happily. However, Disney removes these darker elements, creating safer but less accurate versions. The piece analyzes how Disney altered stories like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and The Little Mermaid compared to the original folktales. It explores the implications of removing the grim realities from fairytales to create controlled entertainment.

1.
The Disneyfication of
Fairytales
by Greg Kirmser
Things To Know/Things To Think About
This Books That Grow original piece explores the
phenomena of “Disneyfication,” or the “transformation of
something into a carefully controlled and safe entertainment or an
environment with similar qualities.” This piece, in particular, focuses on the way folktales—often
of European origin—are adapted into visual media, like film. More important than this change in
format, however, are the changes made to the stories themselves. Many of these original
folktales contain dark, and sometimes grotesque subject matter, including death, mutilation,
torture, and sexual exploitation. What children might find even more disconcerting, though, is
that not all of these stories end “Happily Ever After.”
Historically, however, many of these stories were originally intended to be read by both
children and adults alike. Furthermore, these stories, in their original forms, were valued by the
European peasantry for their ability to convey truths about rural life. Although not always
pleasant, these truths helped prepare children for the realities of adult life—including the
inevitable death of one’s parents, and the fears associated with budding sexuality. Despite the
hardships these stories portray, they were designed to provide children, ultimately, with a sense
of optimism, and confidence in their ability to navigate the trials of adulthood. By contrast,
“Disneyfied” versions of these stories are devoid of their darker elements, and by extension, are
less accurate portrayals of what its like to grow up. This piece discusses the implications of
Disneyfication, and compares and contrasts the plots of original fairy tales with their
“Disneyfied” counterparts. Some examples of the stories discussed are “Cinderella,” “Sleeping
Beauty,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Snow White,” among others.
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2. Standards Addressed:
CCSS.ELA­LITERACY.RI.8.4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative,
connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning
and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
CCSS.ELA­LITERACY.RL.8.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the
text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary
of the text.
Before Reading
1. The German poet Friedrich Schiller once said, “ Deeper meaning resides in the fairy tales
told to me in my childhood than in the truth that is taught by life.” Based on your own
experiences with fairy tales, how do you feel about Schiller’s quote? Do you agree or
disagree with him? Why or not? What, if anything, have you learned from fairy tales?
Write your answers down.
During Reading
1. In the context of this article, does “Disneyfication” seem to have a positive, negative or
neutral connotation? Justify your answer with evidence from the text
(CCSS.ELA­LITERACY.RI.8.4)
2. How does Disney alter the original version of the story of Cinderella?
(CCSS.ELA­LITERACY.RL.8.2)
After Reading
1. In this piece, “Disneyfication” is described, in part, as the process of converting a story
into a “safe” form of entertainment. What is gained by sugarcoating these fairy tales, and
omitting gruesome details? What do you think the original writers hoped to convey to
children and adults alike with these original stories?
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© Books That Grow, 2014

3. Connections In Text
1. Although fairy tales are less popular today than they were in the past, many people argue
that modern fantasy and sci­fi books share many similarities, and express the same
human fears and desires. Choose a fantasy or sci­fi book or film, and compare it to a fairy
tale of your choosing. What are the similarities, and what are the differences? Do you
think these different genres have more in common than what appears on the surface?
Why or why not?
Further Readings
For Teachers:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson­plan/myths­folktales­fairy­tales­grades­7­9
This Link provides teachers with a number of different lesson ideas, and class activities, to
compare and contrast myths, folktales, and fairytales.
For Students:
http://imaginationsoup.net/2012/02/fairy­tales­are­essential­to­childhood/
This link will help students see the value inherent in fairytales, assuming they don’t already see
it.
Vocabulary
Domain­specific vocabulary:
disneyfication; portray/portrayal
G8 Vocabulary List:
aggravate (8), benevolent (8), coerce (8), futile (8), odious (8), succulent (8), agitate (7), chamber (7),
detail (7), iconic (7), impel (7), base (6), cater (6), chamber (6), deed (6), fate (6)
G6 Vocabulary List:
base (6), cater (6), chamber (6), deed (6), fate (6), typical (6), criticize (5), deceive (5), dissolve (5), fate
(5), vital (5), atom (4), confess (4), offend (4), scene (4), theme (4)
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© Books That Grow, 2014

4. G4 Vocabulary List:
atom (4), confess (4), offend (4), scene (4), theme (4), abuse (3), attend (3), carriage (3), claim (3),
define (3), quality (3), reality (3), wicked (3), audience (2), beauty (2), capture (2), cruel (2), fail (2),
foam (2), pregnant (2), symbol (2), treasure (2)
G2 Vocabulary List:
audience (2), beauty (2), capture (2), cruel (2), fail (2), foam (2), pregnant (2), symbol (2), treasure (2),
adventure (1), appear (1), change (1), giant (1), hero/heroine (1), moment (1), piece (1), prince (1),
rescue (1), angry (0), cat (0), child (0), glass (0), horse (0), kitchen (0), movie (0), together (0), tree (0)
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© Books That Grow, 2014