Grimm's Fairy Tales (Day 2)

1. In “The Tale of One who Traveled to Learn what Shivering Meant” and in “The Golden Good” we have the “3’s” that keep appearing. In fairy tales it is common for things to happen in 3’s. “The Tale of One who Traveled to Learn what Shivering Meant” there were 3 knights, the youth was allowed 3 things to take with him into the castle, which he spent 3 nights in, and it took him 3 instances to learn what shivering was. And at the end there were 3 chests full of gold. The young prince received one chest and was wed to the king’s daughter. In this fairy tale we have the youngest son coming out on top and winning the bride. In “The Golden Goose” there were three brothers who went out to get wood. The third brother, Dummling” only had cake made of ashes and sour beer, yet he shared with the hungry old man. For his kindness, this man rewarded Dummling with a golden goose. Other examples of 3’s in this story are when the 3 daughters of the landlord at the inn tried plucking a feather from this goose. And a third time the number 3 appeared in this story was when Dummling had to demand his bride from the kind 3 times. There was also a moral to this story that those who are good-natured and caring will prosper in life. Dummling, the youngest brother, was the only who gave food and drink to this old man. In return, this old man helped Dummling get his bride.

2. In “Rapunzel” and “The True Bride” they began as many fairy tales do with “once upon a time.” These stories were about beautiful young girls who were being controlled by an evil witch and a step-mother. “Roland” is very similar to “The True Bride” because Roland and the “true bride” are both forgotten by then their princes until they sing, like Roland does, or kiss her prince, like the true bride. When Roland sings her prince remembers that she is his true bride and in “True Bride,” once she kisses her prince on his cheek he recognizes her, too. In both fairy tales these awful hags caused the maidens to be separated from their princes, but in the end the princes cannot forget their true brides and they end up living happily ever after.