THE BROTHERS GRIMM
OVERVIEW
The Brothers Grimm are best known for their collection of fairy tales, which have become an enduring part of Western culture. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were born in Hanau, Germany in the late 18th century and grew up in a time of political and cultural upheaval. They lived through the Napoleonic Wars and the rise of German Romanticism, both of which had a profound influence on their work.
The Brothers Grimm began collecting and publishing fairy tales in the early 19th century, at a time when many Germans were searching for a sense of national identity. They saw the fairy tales as a way to preserve and celebrate German folklore and culture. Over the course of several decades, they collected and published hundreds of fairy tales, including such famous stories as "Cinderella," "Hansel and Gretel," and "Snow White."
However, the Brothers Grimm did not simply collect and record these tales as they heard them. They also edited and revised the stories to make them more suitable for a wider audience. In particular, they removed elements that they felt were too violent or sexual. This has led some critics to argue that their versions of the stories are sanitized, compared to the darker and more complex original versions. Despite these criticisms, the Brothers Grimm's collection of fairy tales has had an enormous influence on Western culture. Their stories have been adapted countless times for film, television, and theater, and have become a part of the shared cultural heritage of many countries. They have also been a source of inspiration for writers and artists of all kinds, from J.R.R. Tolkien to the Surrealists.
Beyond their fairy tales, the Brothers Grimm were also scholars of language and literature. They were among the first to study the history of the German language, and their work in this area helped to establish the field of German philology. They also published editions of important German literary works, such as the epic poem "Nibelungenlied."
FAIRY TALES
The Brothers Grimm left a huge mark on world literature, giving us some of the most famous fairy tales ever told. Thanks to them, these stories were passed down from one generation to the next, keeping their cultural value alive and well. Below are just a handful of the timeless tales the Grimms collected and shared with the world.
THE TAILOR IN HEAVEN: A tailor manages to sneak his way into heaven while Saint Peter has stepped out for a moment. Once inside, the tailor makes himself comfortable and starts wandering around. Before long, he spots a group of folks sitting below on Earth, hard at work. The sight makes him laugh so hard he decides to toss something down at them just for kicks. When Saint Peter gets back, he’s not amused in the slightest. He calls the tailor out for his behavior, saying heaven isn’t a place for goofing off and playing tricks. Instead of putting up with his nonsense, Saint Peter boots the tailor right back out of heaven.
The story paints a cheeky picture of someone who thought he could bend the rules and live it up in paradise, only to get shown the door. Bottom line? Even in fairy tales, there’s no free ride — sooner or later, you get called out for your mischief.
CINDERELLA: “Cinderella” tells the story of a sweet but mistreated young girl who, with a little help from her fairy godmother, makes it to the royal ball and steals the prince’s heart. Stuck doing all the dirty work for her stepmother and stepsisters, Cinderella dreams of something better. When she’s told she can’t go to the ball, her fairy godmother works her magic and sends her off in style. Cinderella dazzles the prince but has to dash off before the clock strikes midnight, leaving behind her glass slipper. The prince hunts high and low until he finds the slipper’s rightful owner, and the two live happily ever after. This tale has been told and retold countless times in books, movies, and TV shows.
HANSEL AND GRETEL: “Hansel and Gretel” follows two siblings who get left in the woods during hard times and stumble across a witch’s candy-coated house. Their stepmother talks their father into abandoning them because there isn’t enough food to go around. Out in the wild, the kids have to fend for themselves. Just when things look grim, they run into the witch’s house made of sweets. But the welcome turns sour when the witch reveals her true colors and tries to cook them up. Using their wits, Hansel and Gretel turn the tables on her and escape with her treasure.
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: Known in German as “Rotkäppchen,” this classic tale has been told for ages. A girl nicknamed Little Red Riding Hood is sent to bring food to her sick grandmother in the woods. On the way, she crosses paths with a wolf who tricks her into taking the long way around. While she’s off picking flowers, the wolf beats her to Grandma’s house, gobbles her up, and slips into her clothes. When Little Red-Cap arrives, she’s fooled—until it’s too late. In some versions, a woodsman shows up just in time to save the day, cutting open the wolf and bringing Grandma and Little Red-Cap back safe and sound.
MOTHER HULDA: Also called “Frau Holle,” this German tale tells of a hardworking girl who falls into a magical world. After dropping her spindle into a well, she jumps in after it and ends up in Frau Holle’s home. The old woman puts her to work, and the girl throws herself into the chores. When she finally heads home, she’s showered with gold for her efforts. Jealous, her stepsister tries the same trick, but since she’s lazy and half-hearted about her work, she ends up covered in sticky pitch instead. The story drives home the idea that hard work pays off, while laziness will come back to bite you.
RAPUNZEL: The Grimms’ version of “Rapunzel” has become the best-known and most widely adapted. It begins with a couple who desperately want a child. When the wife craves some herbs from a witch’s garden, her husband sneaks some out but gets caught. The witch agrees to spare him if she can have the baby. She names the girl Rapunzel and locks her away in a tower with no door, only a high window. Years later, a prince stumbles upon the tower. Rapunzel lets down her long golden hair so he can climb up, and the two fall in love. When the witch finds out, she exiles Rapunzel and blinds the prince. But love wins out: Rapunzel’s tears heal his eyes, and they’re finally reunited.
SLEEPING BEAUTY: This story tells of a princess cursed to prick her finger on a spindle and fall into a 100-year sleep. At her birth, a grand feast is thrown, but one fairy gets left off the guest list. Angry at being snubbed, she lays down the curse. Another fairy softens it, turning death into deep sleep. Despite all precautions, the princess eventually touches a spindle and dozes off—taking the whole castle with her. A hundred years later, a prince stumbles across the hidden castle, kisses the princess, and breaks the spell. They fall in love, tie the knot, and live happily ever after.
SNOW WHITE: “Snow White” tells of a beautiful young girl whose stepmother, a vain and wicked queen, can’t stand being outshone. Obsessed with being “the fairest of them all,” she consults her magic mirror, which eventually names Snow White as more beautiful. Green with envy, the queen orders her huntsman to get rid of the girl. But he can’t bring himself to do it, and Snow White escapes into the forest, where she’s taken in by seven dwarfs. The queen tries over and over again to finish her off, using different disguises. But in the end, her evil schemes backfire, sealing her fate.
THE VALIANT LITTLE TAILOR: This story follows a humble tailor who manages to outsmart giants and win a kingdom’s respect. It all starts when he swats seven flies in one blow and proudly stitches “Seven at One Blow” onto his belt. Folks in town take it the wrong way, believing he’s slain seven men, and the rumor spreads like wildfire. The king, impressed, invites him to court. To keep up appearances, the tailor pulls off one clever trick after another—outfoxing giants, taming a unicorn, and even capturing a wild boar. In the end, the king gives him his daughter’s hand in marriage and half the kingdom. This tale drives home the message that brains can beat brawn, and courage can take you a long way.