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Anna Dissertation 3-31-17.pdf (20.48 MB)

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Moving Up the Social Ladder: An Analysis of the Role of Temptation in Shaping Characters in Select Fairy Tales Employing Marxist and Psychological Lenses

Iacovetta, Anna C.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1491073505893036

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, EDU Teaching and Learning.
Temptation is replete in literature, both in fiction and non-fiction. Even though it may jeopardize a long-term goal, temptation is the underlying desire to partake in short term yearning for enjoyment. It is manifested in the forms of money, sex, fame, and even ambition. The cause of temptation can be something as simple as envy or craving. This study examined the select fairy tales of Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, and Snow White, and how their impoverished protagonists (abandoned, shunned, or dealt with depressed times) responded to various lures, leading them to temptations which ultimately shape their futures. Using qualitative approaches of close reading and content analysis, the texts were coded based on character descriptions, settings, lures, and ultimately identifying the temptations that the protagonist faced. Each of these elements gave the reader a glimpse into the feelings and rationales of the characters and provided a foundation for the tales to be further scrutinized using the theoretical lenses of Marxism and Psychoanalysis. This research designated some fascinating, deeper meanings and subconscious motivations of these protagonists. Curiosity and longing for a better life for these characters, was a natural impulse. It was the temptation of nourishment (physical and emotional), wealth, sex, marriage, and motherhood. The most important outcomes of this study are the implications for educators, parents, and caregivers. The issue of temptation and its consequences is an important value to be reinforced. If children were exposed to the earlier versions of these fairy tales that have more examples of temptation and lures – and if they were instructed as to how to properly channel those “wants,” they would be better equipped to deal with these attractions.
Barbara Kiefer, Ph.D. (Advisor)
170 p.
Elementary Education; Literacy; Literature
Hansel and Gretel; Cinderella; Snow White; Grimm Brothers; Marxism; Psychoanalysis; fairy tales; temptation; poverty; sex; marriage; wishes; comfort; lures; character analysis; homelessness; greed; content analysis; close reading; theoretical lenses

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Iacovetta, A. C. (2017). Moving Up the Social Ladder: An Analysis of the Role of Temptation in Shaping Characters in Select Fairy Tales Employing Marxist and Psychological Lenses [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1491073505893036

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Iacovetta, Anna. Moving Up the Social Ladder: An Analysis of the Role of Temptation in Shaping Characters in Select Fairy Tales Employing Marxist and Psychological Lenses . 2017. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1491073505893036.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Iacovetta, Anna. "Moving Up the Social Ladder: An Analysis of the Role of Temptation in Shaping Characters in Select Fairy Tales Employing Marxist and Psychological Lenses ." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1491073505893036

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1491073505893036
886
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.