How did the cultural and socio-economic status of the Brothers Grimm as well as the living conditions in Germany in 1800 influence the theme of poverty and wealth in “ Cinderella” and “Hansel and Gretel” There have been several academic debates that the Brothers Grimm were among the pioneers of the type of German nationalism whose tragic consequences engulfed the 20th century. Beyond questions about the validity of this claim, what remains evident is the inestimable influence that the Brothers Grimm had on the new culture of German society through their writings. One of these influences has been to break down or challenge issues of social class with a specific effect on wealth and poverty. In several Brothers Grimm tales, this question of social class is an ever-present theme. In most cases, if not always, there are dichotomies and physical representations that distinguish between the characters in their tales. This theme of social class translates into the basic idea of ​​the haves and have-nots of these tales. Those who own enormous possessions and fashionable outfits are associated with wealth while those who are in bondage and dressed in rags are normally associated with the proletarian class. These are recurring facts that engulf their versions of the fairy tales “Cinderella” and “Hansel and Gretel”. Due to the socio-economic and cultural background of the Brothers Grimm, the effect of social classes, with particular emphasis on wealth and poverty, was inseparable from their writings. The "German" nation, even before it became known as Germany, had experienced a period of transition from its inherited culture following the French invasion and the Napoleonic Wars. There was a feeling that German culture...... middle of paper ....... ProQuest. Internet. March 15, 2014.Greenspan, Jesse. “The Dark Side of Grimm’s Fairy Tales.” History.com. A&ETelevision Networks, September 17, 2013. Web. May 2, 2014. Limon E, José. “Western Marxism and folklore: a critical reintroduction”. The Journal of American Folklore. Flight. 97, no. 385 (1984): 337-344. JSTOR. Internet. March 20, 2014 Michaelis-Jena, Ruth. “Oral Tradition and the Brothers Grimm”. Folklore. Flight. 82, no. 4 (1971): 265-275. JSTOR. Internet. March 18, 2014Zipes, Jack. “The cultural evolution of storytelling and fairy tales: human and memetic communication.” The Irresistible fairy tale: the cultural and social history of a genre. Ed. Jack Zipes. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2012. 1-20. PrintZipes, Jack. The Brothers Grimm: from enchanted forests to the modern world. New York: Routledge, 1988. Print