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A review by emays7
Grimm's Fairy Stories by Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm
4.0
I enjoyed this selection of stories and found several aspects particularly interesting: the mention of God, the rules of the worlds created, and noticing repeated themes. These stories were gruesome in parts, but not as gory as I was expecting.
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I was surprised by the way the lines are blurred between the sacred and other supernatural elements. I had expected there to be fairies and magic etc. but had thought this would be kept separate from mention of the Christian God. However, Hansel, in 'Hansel and Grethel', assures his sister that "God will not forsake us" and he prays for help, saying "Dear good God, help us now!". There is also mention of "the Evil One" (e.g. in 'Catherine and Frederick' and 'Bearskin'), however this seems to be more of a dubious character and not necessarily the devil as understood biblically.
I found the explanations of the natural and moral rules of the constructed worlds interesting and entertaining how they were so matter-of-factly stated. Here are some favourites:
Natural:
• "Witches have red eyes, and cannot see very far; but they have a fine sense of smelling, like wild beasts, so that they know when children approach them." (Hansel & Grethel)
• "No," they replied; "for we can only lay aside our swan's feathers for a quarter of an hour each evening, and for that time we regain our human form, but afterwards we resume our changed appearance." (The Six Swans)
• "heavy shower of golden rain" (Mother Holle)
• "but the youngest was so exceedingly beautiful that the Sun himself, although he saw her very, very often, was delighted every time she came out into the sunshine." (The Frog Prince)
• "When his master was changed into a frog, trusty Henry had grieved so much that he had bound three iron bands around his heart, for fear it should break with grief and sorrow." (The Frog Prince)
Moral:
• "Go your way; you will be wiser when you have suffered for your foolishness." (The Golden Goose)
• "As you have a kind heart, and have been willing to share everything with me I will bring good to you." (The Golden Goose)
Random quotes which amused me:
• "Then all their sorrows were ended, and they lived together in great happiness. My tale is done. There runs a mouse; whoever catches her may make a great, great cap out of her fur." (Hansel & Grethel)
• "But one day, as the queen was walking by the side of the river, a little fish lifted its head out of the water, and said," Your wish shall be fulfilled, and you shall soon have a daughter."" (Briar Rose)
Recurrent themes & motifs:
Good vs. evil
Beauty vs. ugliness
Good work ethic vs. laziness
Parents longing for children
Evil stepmothers
Jealously
Victims of cruelty
Sharing food
Rewards & punishments
Wishes granted
Deception
Weddings
Questions:
• Did the negative stigma around stepmothers in fairy-tales originate with the tales by the brothers Grimm? Or was it an existing theme developed by them?
• Why is parents' wish for children such a strong theme?
• How do the stories of Thumbling and Tom Thumb compare? And why are they two separate stories?
• Was the King's trickery in 'The Three Men in the Wood' inspired by the story of Nathan and David in the Bible?
------------
I was surprised by the way the lines are blurred between the sacred and other supernatural elements. I had expected there to be fairies and magic etc. but had thought this would be kept separate from mention of the Christian God. However, Hansel, in 'Hansel and Grethel', assures his sister that "God will not forsake us" and he prays for help, saying "Dear good God, help us now!". There is also mention of "the Evil One" (e.g. in 'Catherine and Frederick' and 'Bearskin'), however this seems to be more of a dubious character and not necessarily the devil as understood biblically.
I found the explanations of the natural and moral rules of the constructed worlds interesting and entertaining how they were so matter-of-factly stated. Here are some favourites:
Natural:
• "Witches have red eyes, and cannot see very far; but they have a fine sense of smelling, like wild beasts, so that they know when children approach them." (Hansel & Grethel)
• "No," they replied; "for we can only lay aside our swan's feathers for a quarter of an hour each evening, and for that time we regain our human form, but afterwards we resume our changed appearance." (The Six Swans)
• "heavy shower of golden rain" (Mother Holle)
• "but the youngest was so exceedingly beautiful that the Sun himself, although he saw her very, very often, was delighted every time she came out into the sunshine." (The Frog Prince)
• "When his master was changed into a frog, trusty Henry had grieved so much that he had bound three iron bands around his heart, for fear it should break with grief and sorrow." (The Frog Prince)
Moral:
• "Go your way; you will be wiser when you have suffered for your foolishness." (The Golden Goose)
• "As you have a kind heart, and have been willing to share everything with me I will bring good to you." (The Golden Goose)
Random quotes which amused me:
• "Then all their sorrows were ended, and they lived together in great happiness. My tale is done. There runs a mouse; whoever catches her may make a great, great cap out of her fur." (Hansel & Grethel)
• "But one day, as the queen was walking by the side of the river, a little fish lifted its head out of the water, and said," Your wish shall be fulfilled, and you shall soon have a daughter."" (Briar Rose)
Recurrent themes & motifs:
Good vs. evil
Beauty vs. ugliness
Good work ethic vs. laziness
Parents longing for children
Evil stepmothers
Jealously
Victims of cruelty
Sharing food
Rewards & punishments
Wishes granted
Deception
Weddings
Questions:
• Did the negative stigma around stepmothers in fairy-tales originate with the tales by the brothers Grimm? Or was it an existing theme developed by them?
• Why is parents' wish for children such a strong theme?
• How do the stories of Thumbling and Tom Thumb compare? And why are they two separate stories?
• Was the King's trickery in 'The Three Men in the Wood' inspired by the story of Nathan and David in the Bible?