Another wonderful tale! A lot of attention is given to the moral "lessons" imparted by fairy tales, but I've always appreciated their deep sense of justice. Maybe that seems like splitting hairs, but there's something so satisfying in seeing the cruel and unfair get their comeuppance. I wonder if the ideal world they model is fantastical, not because it's supernatural, but because it's just.
This is such a great take, and I think you’re absolutely right. They are on the whole very retributive. These stories were written in ages when genuine justice was a rate commodity. I’ve always been fascinated by how fairy tales and myths progress with the logic of a dream. No one bothers to explain how the little girl doesn’t notice that her brother’s head is severed from his body. And how can the father is unaware that he’s eating a stew full of human flesh and bones. It’s because those details don’t matter. It’s the concision and suggestiveness that lends them such force. It’s like poetry where the images and concepts that are elusive and vague can lend greater force to a poem than the concrete and direct.
That's a cool way of looking at it, and I agree. They are dreamlike and poetic, almost like incantations or spells in short story form. People dreaming aloud their fears, frustrations, and wishes about the world (and "karma" :-)
It is a gruesome one, but surprisingly beautiful in some of its bizarre imagery. I also think its interesting how many themes recur in the Grimms’ tales, such as “red as blood and white as snow” or all these wicked stepmothers.
Another wonderful tale! A lot of attention is given to the moral "lessons" imparted by fairy tales, but I've always appreciated their deep sense of justice. Maybe that seems like splitting hairs, but there's something so satisfying in seeing the cruel and unfair get their comeuppance. I wonder if the ideal world they model is fantastical, not because it's supernatural, but because it's just.
This is such a great take, and I think you’re absolutely right. They are on the whole very retributive. These stories were written in ages when genuine justice was a rate commodity. I’ve always been fascinated by how fairy tales and myths progress with the logic of a dream. No one bothers to explain how the little girl doesn’t notice that her brother’s head is severed from his body. And how can the father is unaware that he’s eating a stew full of human flesh and bones. It’s because those details don’t matter. It’s the concision and suggestiveness that lends them such force. It’s like poetry where the images and concepts that are elusive and vague can lend greater force to a poem than the concrete and direct.
That's a cool way of looking at it, and I agree. They are dreamlike and poetic, almost like incantations or spells in short story form. People dreaming aloud their fears, frustrations, and wishes about the world (and "karma" :-)
Fascinating! A lovely retelling. Thank you for sharing.
they don't write 'em like that any more!
They don’t! Thank you again for leaving a comment, Nick!
im reaching for my brothers Grimm now... im lucky to have beautiful edditions of these.
One of my favorite fairy tales, though gruesome.
It is a gruesome one, but surprisingly beautiful in some of its bizarre imagery. I also think its interesting how many themes recur in the Grimms’ tales, such as “red as blood and white as snow” or all these wicked stepmothers.
The land of fairy tale can be treacherous, but it is so beautiful.
You did an excellent job.
I really appreciate the kind remarks.