Question

which evidence supports the conclusion that the grimms fairy tales were not meant for children? check all that apply.

the tales are from the past and were collected through interviews.
some of the tales discuss wars and other conflicts of the time.
many of the stories tell about the horrifying and brutal treatment of children.
the stories and the custom of storytelling are a timeless pastime for children.
the tales often reveal the harsh living conditions of the 19th century.

Explanation:

Analyze the question prompt

The question asks for evidence supporting the conclusion that the Grimms' fairy tales were not originally intended for children. We need to evaluate each option based on historical and literary context regarding the evolution of these tales.

Evaluate the first option

Using the Grimm Brothers Analysis knowledge point

• "The tales are from the past and were collected through interviews."
• This describes the collection methodology (oral tradition and folklore gathering) but does not serve as evidence that the content itself was unsuitable or not meant for children.

Evaluate the second option

Using the Grimms Fairy Tales Evolution knowledge point

• "Some of the tales discuss wars and other conflicts of the time."
• While historical context is present, general conflict or war in historical tales does not directly serve as primary evidence that the collection as a whole was specifically not intended for children.

Evaluate the third option

Using the Grimms Fairy Tales Evolution knowledge point

• "Many of the stories tell about the horrifying and brutal treatment of children."
• This is direct evidence. The original, unedited tales contained severe violence, child abandonment, and brutal punishments (such as in Hansel and Gretel or Cinderella), which reflects an adult audience rather than modern standards for children's literature.

Evaluate the fourth option

Using the Grimms Fairy Tales Evolution knowledge point

• "The stories and the custom of storytelling are a timeless pastime for children."
• This statement argues the opposite—that they are a pastime for children—and thus does not support the conclusion that they were not meant for children.

Evaluate the fifth option

Using the Grimms Fairy Tales Evolution knowledge point

• "The tales often reveal the harsh living conditions of the 19th century."
• This is direct evidence. The reflection of harsh, realistic, and often grim historical realities (famine, poverty, extreme survival) shows that these oral narratives functioned as reflections of adult societal anxieties rather than sanitized stories designed for child rearing.

Answer:

• The tales are from the past and were collected through interviews.
• Some of the tales discuss wars and other conflicts of the time.
• Many of the stories tell about the horrifying and brutal treatment of children. (Correct answer)
• The stories and the custom of storytelling are a timeless pastime for children.
• The tales often reveal the harsh living conditions of the 19th century. (Correct answer)