Although most children's literature is not necessarily always intended to be read only by children, it is important to consider the reception of the child. In “Cinderella” by the Brothers Grimm and in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling, the child reader is capable of learning right from wrong. Both Cinderella and Harry Potter are characters who serve as models of positive and acceptable behavior. Cinderella remains morally good, despite her unfortunate situation of her mother's death and the unfair treatment of her step-family. Cinderella, however, seems to have birds watching over her and rewarding her for all her acts of piety, implying to readers that they too will be rewarded for similar behaviors. Harry fights an inner battle to discover what it truly means to be good and to be evil and, ultimately, is similarly rewarded for his heroic actions. Cinderella in Brothers Grimm's "Cinderella" and Harry Potter in JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone undergo numerous tests that evaluate their morality, demonstrating to readers what good behaviors really are and the importance of incorporating them into their own life. plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay. Young readers are directly influenced by what they read, and especially young children are still navigating the line between right and wrong. Literature plays a crucial role in guiding these children in the right direction. As Susan Ann Beach writes, “young readers choose to take a particular ‘lesson’ from their reading” (Beach 102). “Cinderella” and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone are two stories that children can learn from. Although Cinderella was written for a wider audience than just children, it has since been titled a fairy tale for young readers. It is important that these two works present a set of ideals to readers in order to guide them on their moral journey. To do this, 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 “Cinderella” and in “Cinderella” by the Brothers Grimm. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling. In “Cinderella,” however, there seems to be a supernatural element that tests her and rewards her based on the outcome. Cinderella's first task is given to her by her dying Mother who tells her to "be good and pious, and then the good Lord will always protect you" (GRIMM). After the death of Cinderella's mother, Cinderella undergoes a series of tests to judge her character's piety. Cinderella asks her father to bring her a tree branch while her step-sisters ask for “beautiful dresses, pearls and jewels” (GRIMM). Cinderella does not ask for anything of materialistic value, even though she has much less than her stepsisters. This is the first significant display of virtue that Cinderella shows. His devotion to the tree and to 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 the lentils from the fireplace and give hereven appropriate clothing to wear for the festival, acting as a sort of guardian angel to Cinderella and rewarding her for her piety. The birds even ensure that the Prince finds his “true wife”, Cinderella, and is not fooled by Cinderella’s stepsisters (GRIMM). The character of Cinderella is constantly tested to prove that being virtuous offers rewards in order to encourage young readers to act as such. This point is further developed by juxtaposing Cinderella's reward with the stepsisters' punishment. Cinderella's ultimate reward is to marry into the prince's wealthy family. She endures unbearable circumstances living with her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law; however, because she remains pious, she receives “luck” (GRIMM). Cinderella's stepsisters are cruel to Cinderella and "do [her] every damage imaginable" (GRIMM). Just as Cinderella receives a fortune commensurate with her character, the stepsisters receive a fortune as appalling as theirs. The stepsisters, although cruel to Cinderella, “want to have Cinderella’s favor and share in her good fortune” (GRIMM). This is a selfish act and because of it, the sisters are punished with blindness caused by the birds that help Cinderella. Cinderella's virtue is tested numerous times 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 is also subjected to a series of tests; However, instead of a supernatural element judging his character, Harry's true quest is to discover for himself the difference between good and evil. 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 preparing breakfasts for the family and not drawing attention to himself (Rowling 20). Harry is missing a central aspect of his life in terms of learning: real parental figures. Without these parental figures, Harry is unable to tell right from wrong. All the Dursleys teach Harry is to refrain from participating in "amusing affairs" (23). Because of this lack of guidance, Harry must learn and create his own values. Although Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is of the fantasy genre and therefore overtly establishes more supernatural elements, there is no supernatural element watching over and helping Harry unlike Cinderella. Instead, Harry's tests of his character appear to be more personal, presenting a journey to discover who he is and what he stands for. 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 the bad guy is for [himself]" (Rowling 81). This immediate decision to befriend Ron Weasley, a poor and bullied boy, shows Harry's true character and ultimately puts him on the "good" side. The second crucial test Harry faces is the Sorting Hat. Hagrid tells Harry that "[there is] not a single witch or wizard gone wrong who [wasn't] in Slytherin" and with this information, Harry decides that he does not want to be in Slytherin (62 ). Harry understands that Voldemort is a bad man and wishes to be nothing like him. Harry shows his fear of being naughty when he immediately repeats the phrase "not Slytherin" to himself once he undergoes the sorting ceremony (90). He is afraid that perhaps he has an evil within him, similar to Voldemort. This is further proven when the hat tells him that he "could be great" at Slytherin (91). THESorting Hat makes sure Harry is certain he doesn't want to be in Slytherin house and ultimately places Harry in Gryffindor when he chooses not to be in Slytherin. This, again, is another test for his character as Harry is told that he could succeed at Slytherin but he chooses Gryffindor for fear of becoming something akin to Voldemort. In addition to these early tests establishing Harry's morality, he must also prove his bravery in dealing with the Philosopher's Stone. Harry's bravery is tested when he goes in search of the Philosopher's Stone with Ron and Hermione. Harry encounters a series of tests to access the Philosopher's Stone; However, the more important and less obvious tests evaluate one's character. Harry immediately suggests going through the trapdoor to ensure the safety of the drop (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 suffer any harm and instead sacrifices himself (201). At the final hurdle in his quest to obtain the Philosopher's Stone, Harry realizes that there is not enough potion left in the small bottle for him and Hermione to drink and use to pass through 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, proving his loyalty to his friends while simultaneously expressing undeniable courage in facing a life-threatening situation. Harry's true and admirable intentions are, however, well illustrated when he finally meets Professor Quirrell in the final chamber. Harry comes face to face with the Mirror of Erised. Once upon a time, Harry saw himself standing next to his parents when he looked into the Mirror of Erised, as that was his greatest desire in life. However, when he comes face to face with Professor Quirrell, things change. 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 describes his strongest desire: for good. Once again, Harry's pure intentions are proven when Dumbledore explains the final ordeal to attain the stone: "only he who would 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 that his intentions are genuine and he is rewarded just like Cinderella. As Beach suggests, “Harry, Ron and Hermione are caught by the castle guard as they attempt to do so. something good shows…an understanding of the sometimes blurred lines between good and evil” (Beach 102). Harry continually gets in trouble at Hogwarts for getting up at night; however, he continues to sneak around in order to find more information about the Philosopher's Stone and protect it from falling into the wrong hands. Harry faces another difficult test when he decides to "not interfere in anything that [does] not concern him", showing the sometimes confusing situation young people face when understanding this "blurred line » explains Beach (Rowling 179). Harry feels like he should be left alone; However, he cannot allow Voldemort to return and ultimately decides that he must intervene, leading to the destruction of Voldemort's return. Harry's knowledge of good and evil is ultimately tested, and through his choices, he is rewarded. Harry receives sixty points for Gryffindor for the house cup because of his "exceptional courage" (221). Harry's points, as well as those of his friends who help him,.