How Does the Author Develop the Idea About the Grimms’ Stories?

Question:

“Which idea does the author develop with the text example cited in the excerpt?”

A) The Grimms found stories that express real-life situations.

B) The Grimms embellished stories with more details in their final editions.

C) The Grimms wanted to stick to oral reports of folk tales.

D) The Grimms changed stories to be less dark in the final edition.

Answer and Explanation:

The correct answer is “The Grimms found stories that express real-life situations.”

Here’s how this answer is developed:

Understanding the Excerpt: The excerpt discusses how the Grimm brothers approached the collection and editing of folk tales. The Grimms were known for collecting stories that were originally passed down orally. They aimed to preserve these tales because they often reflected the real-life experiences and struggles of the common people at the time.

Supporting the Idea: The author uses examples from the Grimm brothers’ work to illustrate that their stories were not just fairy tales for entertainment but were deeply rooted in reality. These tales often depicted harsh living conditions, moral lessons, and societal norms, which were part of the daily lives of the people who told them.

Why This Answer is Correct: By focusing on how the Grimms found and preserved stories that expressed real-life situations, the author shows the purpose behind the Grimms’ collection and the authenticity of their work. The examples cited in the text help to highlight this intent, making it clear that the Grimms were interested in documenting genuine cultural narratives rather than simply creating fictional stories.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

“The Grimms embellished stories with more details in their final editions”: This option suggests that the Grimms added extra details to make the stories more elaborate, but the excerpt likely focuses more on their aim to preserve the authenticity and realism of the tales rather than adding embellishments.

“The Grimms wanted to stick to oral reports of folk tales”: Although the Grimms did collect stories from oral tradition, the specific focus of the excerpt is on the real-life situations depicted in the stories, not just the method of their collection.

“The Grimms changed stories to be less dark in the final edition”: This option implies that the Grimms softened the stories, but if the cited text emphasizes real-life situations, it would likely discuss the authenticity and original nature of the stories, not their modification to be less dark.

In Summary: The text example cited in the excerpt supports the idea that the Grimms’ stories were based on real-life situations, highlighting their intent to preserve authentic folk tales that reflect the everyday realities of the people who created them.