Donkeyskin

Historical Context and Significance

«Donkeyskin» is a fairy tale written by Charles Perrault, first published in 1695. This tale is part of the collection «Tales of Mother Goose», which had a significant impact on the development of the fairy tale genre in Europe. «Donkeyskin» tells the story of a princess forced to hide under a donkey's skin to avoid an unwanted marriage. The tale addresses themes of social justice, female independence, and self-sacrifice. Its influence on culture is evident in its numerous adaptations in literature, theater, and film, as well as its role in shaping the genre of fairy tales, which have become an important part of European cultural heritage. Charles Perrault, through his tales, laid the groundwork for many subsequent authors, such as the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, and contributed to the popularization of fairy tales as a literary genre.