Thursday, March 19, 2009

Hansel and Gretel: A Storytelling in Arkansas

By Mercie Hallow

Hansel and Gretel is a famous well-loved childrens fairy tale all over the world. It involves the tale of two boy and girl siblings named: Hansel and Gretel. Hansel and his sister Gretel are forced out into the woods by their evil stepmother since poverty has stricken their family. They are children of a woodcutter. Along the way the siblings lost their trail and landed themselves to a gingerbread house which is owned by an evil witch (perceived to be the evil stepmother).

Hansel and Gretel were forced to obey the witchs orders. Gretel became a slave while Hansel was locked up in a cave to fatten before the witch eats him. In the end of the story the children was able to tricked the witch to her own death and returned home to their father who was happy to see them, telling them that their stepmother had died as well.

Critics have analyzed the story as a parallel to Late Mediterranean Crisis here children are forced to work and set out of the home because of poverty. The story is reminiscent of child labor that is happening now in some parts of the world. Nevertheless, the story resembled a lot about several foreign childrens tales as well. Analysts often assume that the Hansel and Gretel version is a mere inspiration from these foreign stories.

The tale of good winning over evil is well-loved by kids and kids-at-heart all around the world. The Arkansas Crafts and Fairs often feature this play annually at Springdale where talented boys and girls from the Art Center from the Ozarks are featured talents. The stage closely resembled that of the tale with its true to life gingerbread house and props.

Hansel and Gretel is just not for children but for the adults with a kid at heart too. Adults may want to reminisce and treat the kids within them by attending the Hansel and Gretel play at Springdale Arkansas early this year.

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