That but it was also just a depiction closer to reality: for instance famine and starvation were a common theme in Grimm's collection of tales (Hänsel & Gretel, the star money, etc). But in the modern world [industrialized west] we know longer have a direct cultural experience of it.

Similarly gone down have:

• corporal punishment, mutilation (the girl without hands, Cinderella)
• indentured servitude, slavery (Rumpelstilzchen)
• cannibalism (Hänsel & Gretel); note that this in the context of a famine
• austerity at old age (the Bremen town musicians)
• despots abusing their power (Snow White)
• maternal death, parental absence (Cinderella, Snow White)
• child labor (Cinderella, Mother Hulda)