The Loss of a Parent
One of the most popular tropes in fairy tales is the loss of a parent. The role of the parent is one of the most important in a child’s life, they provide the foundations for the values that aid a person for the rest of their lives. In fairy tales, the parents have a large role in the lives of their children. Whether they are present or absent, a parent’s influence on the child helps define their values and beliefs. In fairy tales, parents do not have a large and direct role in the child’s life. At some point in the story, one or both of the parents are separated from the child and another character steps in to be the dominating influence. In the Grimm’s version of Cinderella, the mother and father die, leaving Cinderella under the care of her evil stepmother. At the death of her mother, Cinderella is distraught, crying by the grave multiple times a day. When her father dies, Cinderella plants a branch and from her tears, a tree grows. The tree is inhabited by birds who help grant Cinderella’s wishes. Through their aid, Cinderella is able to become a princess. The hardship and tragedy of her parent’s deaths and the abuse that Cinderella endures from her stepmother propels her to try change her future.
The Disney movie Dumbo was based on a children’s book by Helen Aberson-Mayer and Harold Pearl. It follows the story of a young elephant named Dumbo. Dumbo is delivered to his mother from the storks, but he is given the cruel name because of his incredibly large ears. One of the most heart-wrenching scenes in the movie follows Dumbo and his mother being separated from each other. His mother is deemed “mad” by the circus ringmaster after defending Dumbo, forcing her to be separated from her son. After losing his mother, Dumbo becomes the circus pariah. He doesn’t have the support of the others in the circus. It is this event that propels Timothy Mouse to help Dumbo in the circus. With the help of Timothy, Dumbo learns how to accept his unique ability of flight, become more confident, and change his outlook of life.
Another example of the gravity of parental loss and the aid of others is seen in Batman. Batman/Bruce Wayne witnesses the murder of his parents at a young age. According to a study done in the UK, the impact of losing a parent at a young age can influence a person’s adult life. In the DC comics, the deaths of Bruce Wayne’s parents are the reason why he trains to become Batman and fight the villains of Gotham City. He grows up and works to become a hero that fights crime. While he mainly does the work himself, Batman receives aid from allies like his butler or other characters like Robin. These characters help Batman create a better world filled with less crime and violence. These allies help support Batman on his quest of vengeance against criminals. While there isn’t another parental role, the death and absence of his parents have left a deep impact on Bruce Wayne and are the catalyst for his future endeavors.
