Charles Perrault (1628-1703), the celebrated French author, is best known for his creation of the modern form of the classic fairytale He was one of the earliest authors to write in this genre and made popular many of the stories we still hear today. He was a celebrated poet, novelist, playwright, and satirist of his time, but his fairytales remain the most popular of his works today.
Charles Perrault wrote the first collection of classic fairytales, titled “Tales of Mother Goose,” in 1697. This collection featured some of his best known works, such as “Cinderella,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Puss in Boots,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Bluebeard,” and “Ricky of the Tuft.” His stories often featured magical elements and themes of good triumphing over evil. He was one of the first authors to use the motif of “happily ever after” in his stories, which is now a common element in other fairytales.
The following are five of Charles Perrault’s most famous works:
1. Cinderella: This enchanting story follows the tale of a young girl mistreated by her step-family and helped by a Fairy Godmother. Through her kindness and hard work, she eventually finds true love and a life of bliss.
2. Sleeping Beauty: This classic story follows a young princess who is cursed by an evil fairy to sleep for a hundred years. Thanks to a prince’s love, she breaks the curse and they get married and live happily ever after.
3. Puss in Boots: The story of a clever cat who finds a pair of boots and uses them to help his master gain wealth and power.
4. Little Red Riding Hood: This beloved story follows a young girl who visits her grandmother’s house, only to find a Big Bad Wolf in her place. After outsmarting the wolf, Little Red Riding Hood is reunited with her grandmother.
5. Bluebeard: This harrowing story follows a wealthy man whose wife discovers that he has a secret chamber filled with the bodies of his previous wives. She manages to escape his clutches by cleverly tricking him.
These five stories are some of the most renowned works of Charles Perrault and remain popular today. His stories still provide lessons of morality and caution, as well as themes of kindness and courage. As one of the earliest authors to write fairytales, Perrault’s works stand as some of the most beloved of all time.