"Tom Thumb" versus "Thumbelina"

My post is not so much questions that I still had unanswered, more like interest in how one version of a story can change just by switching it from a boy to a girl. Not only does the story change, but in some ways the meaning of the story can change as well. I couldn't figure out whether "Tom Thumb" or "Thumbelina" came first, but I know what I found most interesting was how dramatically the two versions are even though they center around the same kind of scenario.
Both tales start out with parents who are unable to conceive a child of their own, and in their desperation claim that they would accept a child even if it was no bigger than their thumbs. Like we discussed in class, these tales start out with a real problem--parents not being able to produce children. Where these two tales begin to differ is that in "Tom Thumb" they were able one day to "magically" have this boy no bigger than their thumb. whereas, in "Thumbelina" (Hans Christian Andersen's version) the mother resorts to magic to have her child. She confides her problems to a witch, who gives her a seed (reminds me of "Jack and the Beanstalk") to plant in a pot, which when potted grew into a big and beautiful flower bud. Then when the mother kissed the flower bud a child emerged out of the bud, who happens to be no bigger than her thumb. I think the question is that why when the parents wanted a child even if it was no bigger than a thumb, that they had children no bigger than a thumb? I think like we discussed in class, there is something to be said about the height that plays well into the message of the story. I forgot who said it, but someone made a good point that their height gives them the need to prove themselves, and it gives children the belief that no matter how small they are they could believe that they count too, and that they can some control and have some power over their lives.
What is most strikingly different is the manner in which these tales play out. In "Tom Thumb" it is when he ventures deep into the forest with his father that they come across some men who look at Tom as a form of commodity--something that they could make money off of. At the beginning the father refuses to sell his "prized" son, but after Tom exclaims "Father, let me go; I will soon come back again" (105), his father agrees and sells him for a "fine piece of gold" (105). I just found it funny that one minute he refused all the money in the world to sell him, and then he sells him for just one piece of gold. But despite his size he is clever, cunning, manipulative and able to take care of himself. Even though he meets several sticky ends like: falling into a mouse-hole, finding himself down a cows throat, and then inside the stomach of a wolf. Yet, no matter the situation he is able to discover some way to be rescued. Then in the end he lives happily ever after with his parents. What I get was that Tom wanted to be on his own to realize that he could be independent even though his height might make him seem dependent on others. When he states that he had "other experiences to go through first" (107) before he had been swallowed by the cow and was thinking of going home, signifies that these various journeys was in a way a journey of self-discovery; be able to have control over his own life. But, like all children (or us for that matter) need to know that whatever happens they have their parents or at least some home to return to when things go to badly.
However, in Anderson's "Thumbelina", Thumbelina faces more realistic dangers than Tom and it is others who have to rescue her, rather than her using tricks and schemes to rescue herself. I think there is a lot to be said there also. Why is it that Tom could save himself , and Thumbelina has others protect her? Thumbelina does not choose her "call to adventure" rather the journey is thrust upon her. Thumbelina was kidnapped in the middle of the night (scary situation for a child) by an old toad who wants her to marry his son. Here, Thumbelina's wishes aren't even taken into consideration, she is seen as an object with which the toad could take advantage of. I believe Thumbelina faces more opposition in her life than Tom. Not only is she small, but she is small and a girl. I believe the reason as to why she is so defenseless and passive is the fact that she is supposed to signify the proper woman--one is passive, meek, and compassionate even though she is facing all these dilemmas. She then befriends a mouse who soon threatens to bite her, and then she meets a mole whom she is forced into marrying (in order to ensure her safety and security because she feared that she would never be able to make it home). Whenever she gets out of one situation she quickly falls into another, only until a fairy prince comes along and rescues her. Who she then marries, and she herself is turned into a fairy and then lives happily ever after among the fairies. Throughout all of this Thumbelina remains a true and gentle woman, and I believe after all of Tom's adventures he too becomes a more humble person.
I think that each story targets the opposite sex child. "Tom Thumb" proves to possibly young boys that they could take on "manly" roles, or possibly showing them that adulthood is not something to be taken with lightly. But I believe that "Thumbelina" speaks to young girls like a fairy tale. That goodness wins out, that even in turmoil to remain a compassionate person, that your dreams can come true. I just found it peculiar how each story differed, and how the female character had a lot more real and threatening situations to face. I am wondering what that says about the belief of the dangers lurking out there for boys versus girls? Or what one could handle over the other?