Introduction

This webite compares 3 versions of Jack and the Beanstalk and also provides some insight into the motifs and archetypes present in the fairytale.

The versions I have chosen to compare are:

• The version of Joseph Jacobs (1890), the most widely reproduced.
• The version of Benjamin Tabart (1807), which claims to be the first printed.
• Jim Hensons film (2001 ) Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story, which subverts previous expectations of the fairy tale.

The origins and development of Jack and the beanstalk.

The fairytale, Jack and he Beanstalk is limited to England and its colonies, though the stories motifs such as the foolish deal which gains a giants treasure are found in other places (Phillip 1992: 7).

The tales exact origins are unknown. There is no accepted version but 'the variation of early versions of "Jack and the Beanstalk" is evidence of its strong place in oral tradition' (Goldberg 2001: 12). This is demonstrated in 1807 when Jack and the Beanstalk is printed in full for the first time, appearing twice in this year. One was published by Benjamin Tabart, in a Chapbook and another soon after in one of John Harris's copperplate books The History of Mother Twaddle. The oral tradition is apparent in the variation of the narratives. Tabart's is similar to version that are common today but the other is in verse. (Opie 1974: 163).

The first time Jack and the Beanstalk was part of literary history was in a skit, entitled Round about our coal fire (J. Roberts). In 1734 it contained a chapter pertaining to Jack and the Beanstalk (Enchantment demonstrated in the story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean). It was made to be humorous, beginning with the dirty, lazy Jack planting a bean which grows so quickly that it hits Jacks nose causing it to bleed. (Opie 1974: 162).

Jack was a popular tale to be told in pantomimes. The Times wrote in 1859 that 'The story of Jack and the Beanstalk (often used before by the way) is so evidently well suited to the purposes of pantomime' (Drury Lane 185: 6).

Jack and the Beanstalk has and continues to be told in a variety of forms; in picture books, students readers as well as big books, films and anthologies of fairytales. However 'it is not favored by story tellers who aspire to replicate authentic oral tradition' as there is a popular belief that this is a storybook tale. (Gouldberg 2001:13).

In recent years there has been masses of Jack and the beanstalk picture books published, which continue to modify the tale. In many ways these remain similar to previous versions the significant differences being in the illustrations. In the past the illustrations have been limited to woodcuts and simple prints but this has evolved with the printing press. Today there is a wide variety of techniques, colours and the chance for finer detail which adds more dimension to the tale and its characters. One such picture book is Jack and the Beanstalk (1989) written and illustrated by John Howe. Many films such as Henson's film (2001) "Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story" which is analysed here also tell the story of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Jack and the Beanstalk may have originated from the Tales of Jack and the Giant Killer as suggested by (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2006: 1) who kills numerous giants because they are known to be evil and also uses the familiar phrase "Fee- fi- fo- fum..."but there appears to be no solid evidence of this. So I have chosen to look at Jack and the Beanstalk as its own fairy tale.

Jack arriving at the top of the Beanstalk. The History of Mother Twaddle (1807)
Source: (Opie 1974: 163)

Wood cut from Round about our coal fire (1734).
Source: (Opie 1974: 163)

Source: Jack Howe Jack and the Beanstalk (1989)