Although most children's literature is not necessarily always intended to be read exclusively by children, it is important to consider the child's reception. In “Cinderella” by the Brothers Grimm and in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling, the child reader is able to learn right from wrong. Cinderella and Harry Potter are both characters who serve as role models of positive and acceptable behavior. Cinderella remains morally good, despite the unfortunate situation of her mother's death and her adoptive family treating her unfairly. Cinderella, however, appears to have birds that watch over her and reward her for all her acts of mercy, translating to readers that they too will be rewarded for similar behavior. Harry has an internal battle to discover what it truly means to be good and to be evil, and in the end, he is rewarded equally for his heroic actions. Cinderella in the Brothers Grimm's “Cinderella” and Harry Potter in JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone experience many tests that evaluate their morals, demonstrating to readers what good behaviors really are and the importance of incorporating them into one's life. plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Young readers are directly influenced by what they read, and especially at a young age, children still know right from wrong. Literature plays a crucial role in guiding these children in the right direction. As Susan Ann Beach writes: “young readers choose to draw a particular 'lesson' from their reading” (Beach 102). “Cinderella” and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone are both stories that children can learn something from. Although Cinderella is written for a wider audience than just children, it has since been titled as a fairy tale for young readers. It is important that these two works present readers with a set of ideals to guide them on their moral journey. To do this, both Cinderella and Harry are put through a series of tests that evaluate their moral character and show readers that people who act morally right are rewarded. There are clearly supernatural elements in both the Brothers Grimm's “Cinderella” and JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. In “Cinderella”, however, there seems to be a supernatural element that tests her and rewards her based on the result. Cinderella's first task is given to her by her dying mother who tells her to "be good and pious, and then the good God will always protect you" (GRIMM). After the death of Cinderella's mother, Cinderella is subjected to a series of tests to judge her character's devotion. Cinderella asks her father to bring her back a tree branch while her stepsisters ask for “beautiful dresses, pearls and jewels” (GRIMM). Cinderella asks for nothing of materialistic value, despite having much less than her stepsisters. This is the first significant display of virtue that Cinderella displays. His devotion to the tree and his mother is rewarded by the supernatural element of the bird. A bird appears on the branch given to Cinderella as she spends much of her time near the tree, watering it with her tears. This appearance of the bird is a direct reward for Cinderella's loyalty to her mother.; in fact, birds play a central role in creating a supernatural element in this fairy tale. The birds continue to reward Cinderella by helping her pick lentils from the fireplace and even give her appropriate clothes to wear at the party, acting as sort of guardian angels for Cinderella andrewarding her for her mercy. The birds even make sure that the prince finds his "true bride", Cinderella, and is not fooled by Cinderella's stepsisters (GRIMM). Cinderella's character is constantly tested to demonstrate that being virtuous offers rewards by encouraging young readers to act as such. This point is further developed through the juxtaposition of Cinderella's reward with the stepsisters' punishment. Cinderella's final reward is to marry into a rich prince's family. He endures unbearable circumstances living with his stepmother and stepsisters; however, because she remains pious, she is given “good luck” (GRIMM). Cinderella's stepsisters are cruel to Cinderella and "[do] her every harm imaginable" (GRIMM). Just as Cinderella receives a fortune equal to her character, the stepsisters receive a fortune equal to theirs. The stepsisters, despite being cruel to Cinderella, "[want] to get into Cinderella's favor and share her good fortune" (GRIMM). This is a selfish act and for this the sisters are punished with blindness caused by the birds that help Cinderella. Cinderella's virtuosity is tested on numerous occasions by a supernatural element with the power to reward and punish people for their actions. Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone also undergoes a series of tests; However, instead of a supernatural element judging his character, Harry's true quest lies in discovering the difference between good and evil for himself. Although Cinderella has a mother who advises her to act virtuously, Harry is an orphan with unsuitable guardians. Harry's aunt and uncle treat Harry as if he were a servant, making him responsible for making breakfast for the family and not drawing any attention to himself (Rowling 20). Harry is missing a central aspect of his life in terms of learning: adequate parental figures. Without these parental figures, Harry is unable to distinguish right from wrong. All Harry is taught by the Dursleys is to refrain from participating in any "fun activities" (23). Because of this lack of guidance, Harry must learn and create his own values. Although Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone belongs to the fantasy genre and therefore overtly establishes more supernatural elements, there is no supernatural element that watches over and helps Harry unlike Cinderella. Instead, Harry's tests of his character appear to be more personal, showing a journey to discover who he is and what he represents. A very important test that Harry undergoes is that of choosing his friends. Malfoy is clearly a boy of a higher social class than Ron; however, Harry decides that he "can tell who's the wrong guy for [himself]" (Rowling 81). This immediate decision to befriend Ron Weasley, a poor and bullied boy, shows Harry's true character and ultimately places him on the "good" side. The second crucial piece of evidence Harry encounters is the Sorting Hat. Hagrid tells Harry that "[there is] not a single witch or wizard who has gone bad who [wasn't] in Slytherin" and with this information, Harry decides that he doesn't want to be in Slytherin (62). Harry realizes that Voldemort is an evil man and wishes he were nothing like him. Harry shows his fear of being evil when he immediately repeats the phrase "not Slytherin" to himself once he undergoes the sorting ceremony (90). He is afraid that perhaps he has evil within him, similar to Voldemort. This is further demonstrated when the hat tells him he "might be great" in Slytherin (91). The Sorting Hat makes sure Harry is sure he doesn't want to be in the house ofSlytherin and eventually places Harry in Gryffindor when he chooses not to be in Slytherin. This, once again, is another test for his character as Harry is told he could succeed as a Slytherin but chooses Gryffindor for fear of becoming something resembling Voldemort. In addition to these initial tests to establish Harry's morality, he must also prove his courage in dealing with the Philosopher's Stone. Harry's courage is tested when he searches for the Philosopher's Stone with Ron and Hermione. Harry faces a series of trials to gain access to the Philosopher's Stone; however, the more important and less obvious tests evaluate his character. Harry immediately offers to fall through the trap door to ensure the safety of the fall (200-201). Harry explains that there is "no sign of the bottom" when he looks through the door; however, he does not wish his friends to come to any harm and instead sacrifices himself (201). During the final obstacle in his quest to obtain the Philosopher's Stone, Harry realizes that there is not enough potion left in the bottle for both him and Hermione to drink and use to cross the black fire. Harry comes to the conclusion that he must complete their dangerous quest alone. Harry tells Hermione to go back and help Ron, demonstrating his loyalty to his friends while at the same time expressing undeniable courage when facing a potentially life-threatening situation. Harry's true and admirable intentions, however, are adequately exemplified when he finally meets Professor Quirrell in the final chamber. Harry comes face to face with the Mirror of Erised. Previously, Harry saw himself standing next to his parents when he looked into the Mirror of Erised as this was his greatest wish in life. When he finds himself facing Professor Quirrell, however, the situation changes. Harry reveals that if he looked in the mirror, he would know where to find the stone because it is what "[he wants] more than anything in the world" (211). This is extremely significant in demonstrating Harry's moral character as it outlines his strongest desire: good. Once again, Harry's pure intentions are demonstrated when Dumbledore explains the final test to reach the Stone: “only those who wanted to find the Stone – find it, but not use it – would be able to obtain it” (217). Harry passes this final test when the Stone appears in his pocket, proving his intentions are genuine and is rewarded just like Cinderella. As Beach proposes, "Harry, Ron, and Hermione are caught by the castle keeper while they are attempting to do something. Something good shows… understanding of the sometimes blurred lines between good and evil" (Beach 102). Harry continually puts himself in trouble at Hogwarts as he stays out of bed at night; however, he continues to sneak out to find more information about the Philosopher's Stone and protect it from falling into the wrong hands. Harry faces another challenging test when he decides not to “interfere in anything that [it] is not about him,” showing the sometimes confusing situation that young people face in understanding that “blurred line” explains Beach (Rowling 179). to return and ultimately decides that he must interfere, leading to the destruction of Voldemort's return. Harry's knowledge of good and evil is finally put to the test, and because of his choices, he is rewarded. Harry is awarded sixty points for Gryffindor towards the House Cup due to his "exceptional courage" (221). Harry's points, along with those of his friends who help him, put Gryffindor in first place for the Cup.