Read these two folk tales from different cultures—the first from China and the second from Korea. As you read, compare the ways
in which the theme of each story is expressed. Both folk tales present a “Cinderella story,” but the two stories were passed down through different cultures. Which answer best compares and contrasts the two folk tales?
In the Chinese folk tale, the protagonist was trying to meet a deadline. In the Korean folk tale, the protagonist was trying to avoid punishment.
In both folk tales, a magical animal creates a happy outcome for a young woman who has been mistreated by her step-family, but the actual animal species differ.
In the Chinese folk tale, the villains wanted to keep the protagonist from marrying the prince. In the Korean folk tale, the villains wanted the protagonist to marry the magistrate.
In the Chinese folk tale, the stepmother represented evil and served as the story’s villain, while the foster sister was the main villain in the Korean folk tale.
