Great Cat Massacre: Peasants Tell Tales Fishbowl

Describe the system of social hierarchy across Europe in the early modern period. Please elaborate on both similarities and differences across national borders.

Describe with detail the lives of peasants during the longue duree. Include discussion of agricultural practices, as well.

Describe the lives of those peasants that took to the road. Talk about the tales describing their lives.

Describe the role of the EVIL STEPMOTHER! AAAAAAAAA!!!! (and motherhood and wife-hood in general).

Analyze the dream life of the average peasant, as exemplified in tales like Tom Thumb, Puss and Boots, etc.

Chat about the role of meat in the lives of European peasants.

Why do you think that most fairy tales took place in a “real” life environment?

What kinds of differences between men and women can we learn about in these tales?

Overall, what realities were the fairy tales describing about the lives of peasants? What purpose did the tales serve and how?