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Paper Topic:

Jack and the beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk : A Critical Reporting

Jack and the Beanstalk is a traditional fairytale passed down from generation to generation in different versions . Although there are many similarities between versions , it is clear that the justification of the actions of the main character , Jack , and the condemning nature of the supposed villain of the story , the giant or ogre , differ in weight across the different accounts . This report aims to get a clear understanding of who the real hero is in the story of Jack and the Beanstalk and to achieve

a clear character analysis of the famous , or infamous , Jack

Although the different versions of Jack and the Beanstalk have many contrasting details , a majority of these hold a similar account of Jack as a trickster and as a boy with ambiguous morals (Thompson , 1946 Across all versions , Jack is shown clearly as a thief in that he takes a combination of different things , a bag of gold coins , a goose that lays golden eggs , and a magical harp , that belong to the giant or ogre and bring these home to do with as he and his mother . He is also shown to be a child who is unable to follow his mother 's instructions He is told to sell their cow but he instead decides to trade it for a few magical beans beans that he believes to be magical without reasonable proof

It is clear , therefore , that Jack is not the true hero of the story When the story of Jack is considered in terms of its setting during the Middle Ages , it is clear that Jack does not possess the characteristics of a Medieval Hero . During the Middle Ages , the class of the individual no longer mattered . Therefore a peasant could be considered a hero . This differed from early concepts of heroes which involved only those of noble birth . This means that Jack might still qualify for heroism even given his low social status . However , an essential factor of Medieval Heroes is their morality . They must be obedient and loyal . They must be able to exemplify a clear code of good moral conduct . Even if the character isn 't perfectly conscientious , the reader 's perception must always be one of excellent moral standing (Norman , 2003 ) On these merits , Jack fails to provide his audience with a reasonable basis for consideration of his heroic standing

Rereading the story of Jack and the Beanstalk has brought the tale 's plot under a new light . What used to be a story of adventure has become a story of deception , disobedience , and irresponsibility . Understanding the immorality of Jack 's happy ending makes one question the lesson the story teaches children , to whom the tale is most often recounted . Also one cannot help but wonder if Jack is not the hero , an essential part of a fairytale then who is

Upon closer analysis of the different versions of Jack and the Beanstalk available , a common theme emerges . Women hold...
