Jack and the Beanstalk
(Source of picture: Beanstalk Story Book)
On this page you can find out more about the story of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Jack and the Beanstalk and similar stories
This fairy tale website, compiled by Pittsburgh University, includes Joseph Jacobs' version of Jack and the Beanstalk.
You can also find other versions of the Jack and the Beanstalk tale.
- Various versions of Jack and the BeanstalkThis site from Pittsburgh University includes Joseph Jacobs' Jack and the Beanstalk story and a number of other versions.
- Similar stories across culturesThe SurLaLune website includes information on stories which are similar to Jack and the Beanstalk. Some of the stories are linked to the site so you can read them online.
The Story of Jack and the Beanstalk
You can read Joseph Jacob's version of Jack and the Beanstalk on the SurLaLune website.
Scene from Jack the Giant Slayer
In this scene from the film Jack the Giant Slayer, Jack is trying to rescue his friends from the giants' kitchen chef.
2013 Jack The Giant Slayer Film
History of Jack and the Beanstalk
The SurLaLune website includes lots of information about Jack and the Beanstalk, including details of the history of the story.
Elements of the Story
As explained in the 'Conventions of fairy tales' section, a fairy story always includes a number of important elements.
When reading through this section, keep in mind the Joseph Jacobs story as included here in the SurLaLune website -
In the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, these include:
GOOD CHARACTERS
In the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, the good character is Jack. Jack is not always good, he climbs the beanstalk and steals from the Giant but he is the character we like, so he takes the role of the 'good' character
(Source of picture: Kids Pages)
THE BADDY
The bad character in this story is the ogre (giant).
(Source of picture: How Stuff Works )
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
Can you think of any supporting characters in this story?
MAGIC
There are lots of magical elements in this story, can you think what they are?
(Source of picture:Time Out Singapore )
OBSTACLE OR TASK
A fairy tale usually includes an obstacle or task which the characters must tackle with to reach their happy ending. Can you think of the obstacle or task in this story?
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
By gaining the ogre's golden harp and hen that lays golden eggs, Jack and his mother are able to live happily ever after...
(Source of picture: PBJC Library)
MORAL
What do you think is the moral message of the Jack and the Beanstalk story?