Rapunzel
In Rapunzel the character of Mother Gothel is not fleshed out in great detail however we see a contrast between how she treats other people and how she treats Rapunzel initially in her childhood.
How did Rapunzel end up with Mother Gothel?
In this Mother Gothel is portrayed in a far nicer way, Rapunzel’s parents are shown to be selfish and weak-willed, whereas she shows sympathy at the plight of the mother and demands a bargain rather than exacting revenge. The parents were entirely at fault here, they chose to steal from her rather than ask for the lettuce and they chose to give their daughter away in fear rather than talk through it and see if a better deal could be reached.
How is Rapunzel’s childhood with Mother Gothel shown?
The only sentence in the original about her childhood is “Rapunzel grew into the most beautiful child under the sun.” The contrast between ‘under the sun’ and the existence Rapunzel leads later in the tower implies her childhood was pleasant.
How Mother Gothel acts and speaks towards Rapunzel.
The only words and actions we see Mother gothel direct towards Rapunzel paint her in quite a cruel light. She locks Rapunzel away from the world in a tower in the woods and every day says. “Rapunzel Rapunzel let down your hair to me.” Later on after she learns of Rapunzel’s betrayal she cries 'Ah! you wicked child, what do I hear you say! I thought I had separated you from all the world, and yet you have deceived me!' She then casts Rapunzel out into the desert. This shows her to be a fairly ambiguous character who has a fast cruel reaction when she perceives she has been wronged. It also does not show a lot of love or mercy for Rapunzel.
Why is Rapunzel locked up?
In the original no reason is really provided for this. Due to her age it can be surmised it could be that Rapunzel was just reaching puberty and Mother Gothel wished to isolate her from the world, it could also have simply been a cruel impulse.
Does Mother Gothel appear to have any regrets?
No, mother gothel vanishes at the end and we are not shown how she feels about any of the events in the story.
What were the actions and attitude of Rapunzel’s parents?
Rapunzel’s parents acted unethically and selfishly. They are portrayed as being bad parents because they put themselves before their child and didn’t fight even for a second for her wellbeing.
Which are portrayed as being the better parents/family?
In Rapunzel neither is portrayed as being a good family for Rapunzel. Her parents are shown as bad because they care more for themselves than her, and mother gothel is shown as bad because she doesn’t treat Rapunzel in a loving way in her teenage years and doesn’t give her a second chance after Rapunzel betrays her. Both parental figures give up on Rapunzel and the fairy tale definitely conveys this as being bad.
How did Rapunzel end up with Mother Gothel?
In this Mother Gothel is portrayed in a far nicer way, Rapunzel’s parents are shown to be selfish and weak-willed, whereas she shows sympathy at the plight of the mother and demands a bargain rather than exacting revenge. The parents were entirely at fault here, they chose to steal from her rather than ask for the lettuce and they chose to give their daughter away in fear rather than talk through it and see if a better deal could be reached.
How is Rapunzel’s childhood with Mother Gothel shown?
The only sentence in the original about her childhood is “Rapunzel grew into the most beautiful child under the sun.” The contrast between ‘under the sun’ and the existence Rapunzel leads later in the tower implies her childhood was pleasant.
How Mother Gothel acts and speaks towards Rapunzel.
The only words and actions we see Mother gothel direct towards Rapunzel paint her in quite a cruel light. She locks Rapunzel away from the world in a tower in the woods and every day says. “Rapunzel Rapunzel let down your hair to me.” Later on after she learns of Rapunzel’s betrayal she cries 'Ah! you wicked child, what do I hear you say! I thought I had separated you from all the world, and yet you have deceived me!' She then casts Rapunzel out into the desert. This shows her to be a fairly ambiguous character who has a fast cruel reaction when she perceives she has been wronged. It also does not show a lot of love or mercy for Rapunzel.
Why is Rapunzel locked up?
In the original no reason is really provided for this. Due to her age it can be surmised it could be that Rapunzel was just reaching puberty and Mother Gothel wished to isolate her from the world, it could also have simply been a cruel impulse.
Does Mother Gothel appear to have any regrets?
No, mother gothel vanishes at the end and we are not shown how she feels about any of the events in the story.
What were the actions and attitude of Rapunzel’s parents?
Rapunzel’s parents acted unethically and selfishly. They are portrayed as being bad parents because they put themselves before their child and didn’t fight even for a second for her wellbeing.
Which are portrayed as being the better parents/family?
In Rapunzel neither is portrayed as being a good family for Rapunzel. Her parents are shown as bad because they care more for themselves than her, and mother gothel is shown as bad because she doesn’t treat Rapunzel in a loving way in her teenage years and doesn’t give her a second chance after Rapunzel betrays her. Both parental figures give up on Rapunzel and the fairy tale definitely conveys this as being bad.