{"id":12964,"date":"2024-02-22T00:26:31","date_gmt":"2024-02-22T00:26:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.everywritersresource.com\/shortstories\/?p=12964"},"modified":"2024-02-22T00:29:18","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T00:29:18","slug":"hansel-and-gretel-by-jacob-grimm-and-wilhelm-grimm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.everywritersresource.com\/shortstories\/hansel-and-gretel-by-jacob-grimm-and-wilhelm-grimm\/","title":{"rendered":"Hansel and Gretel By Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Hansel<\/h2>\n

Hansel and Gretel<\/span><\/h2>\n

By Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily bread. Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his anxiety, he groaned and said to his wife: \u2018What is to become of us? How are we to feed our poor children, when we no longer have anything even for ourselves?\u2019 \u2018I\u2019ll tell you what, husband,\u2019 answered the woman, \u2018early tomorrow morning we will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest; there we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one more piece of bread, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone. They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them.\u2019 \u2018No, wife,\u2019 said the man, \u2018I will not do that; how can I bear to leave my children alone in the forest?\u2014the wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces.\u2019 \u2018O, you fool!\u2019 said she, \u2018then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins,\u2019 and she left him no peace until he consented. \u2018But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same,\u2019 said the man.<\/span><\/p>\n

The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard what their stepmother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel: \u2018Now all is over with us.\u2019 \u2018Be quiet, Gretel,\u2019 said Hansel, \u2018do not distress yourself, I will soon find a way to help us.\u2019 And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped and stuffed the little pocket of his coat with as many as he could get in. Then he went back and said to Gretel: \u2018Be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God will not forsake us,\u2019 and he lay down again in his bed. When day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, saying: \u2018Get up, you sluggards! we are going into the forest to fetch wood.\u2019 She gave each a little piece of bread, and said: \u2018There is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else.\u2019 Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the pebbles in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had walked a short time, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again. His father said: \u2018Hansel, what are you looking at there and staying behind for? Pay attention, and do not forget how to use your legs.\u2019 \u2018Ah, father,\u2019 said Hansel, \u2018I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting up on the roof, and wants to say goodbye to me.\u2019 The wife said: \u2018Fool, that is not your little cat, that is the morning sun which is shining on the chimneys.\u2019 Hansel, however, had not been looking back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road.<\/span><\/p>\n

When they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said: \u2018Now, children, pile up some wood, and I will light a fire that you may not be cold.\u2019 Hansel and Gretel gathered brushwood together, as high as a little hill. The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high, the woman said: \u2018Now, children, lay yourselves down by the fire and rest, we will go into the forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch you away.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they believed that their father was near. It was not the axe, however, but a branch which he had fastened to a withered tree which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already dark night. Gretel began to cry and said: \u2018How are we to get out of the forest now?\u2019 But Hansel comforted her and said: \u2018Just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way.\u2019 And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way.<\/span><\/p>\n

They walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to their father\u2019s house. They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it and saw that it was Hansel and Gretel, she said: \u2018You naughty children, why have you slept so long in the forest?\u2014we thought you were never coming back at all!\u2019 The father, however, rejoiced, for it had cut him to the heart to leave them behind alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not long afterwards, there was once more great dearth throughout the land, and the children heard their mother saying at night to their father: \u2018Everything is eaten again, we have one half loaf left, and that is the end. The children must go, we will take them farther into the wood, so that they will not find their way out again; there is no other means of saving ourselves!\u2019 The man\u2019s heart was heavy, and he thought: \u2018It would be better for you to share the last mouthful with your children.\u2019 The woman, however, would listen to nothing that he had to say, but scolded and reproached him. He who says A must say B, likewise, and as he had yielded the first time, he had to do so a second time also.<\/span><\/p>\n

The children, however, were still awake and had heard the conversation. When the old folks were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go out and pick up pebbles as he had done before, but the woman had locked the door, and Hansel could not get out. Nevertheless he comforted his little sister, and said: \u2018Do not cry, Gretel, go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their beds. Their piece of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller than the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his in his pocket, and often stood still and threw a morsel on the ground. \u2018Hansel, why do you stop and look round?\u2019 said the father, \u2018go on.\u2019 \u2018I am looking back at my little pigeon which is sitting on the roof, and wants to say goodbye to me,\u2019 answered Hansel. \u2018Fool!\u2019 said the woman, \u2018that is not your little pigeon, that is the morning sun that is shining on the chimney.\u2019 Hansel, however little by little, threw all the crumbs on the path.<\/span><\/p>\n

The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and the mother said: \u2018Just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a little; we are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening when we are done, we will come and fetch you away.\u2019 When it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had scattered his by the way. Then they fell asleep and evening passed, but no one came to the poor children. They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his little sister and said: \u2018Just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have strewn about, they will show us our way home again.\u2019 When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked them all up. Hansel said to Gretel: \u2018We shall soon find the way,\u2019 but they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next day too from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the forest, and were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries, which grew on the ground. And as they were so weary that their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down beneath a tree and fell asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was now three mornings since they had left their father\u2019s house. They began to walk again, but they always came deeper into the forest, and if help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it was mid-day, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough, which sang so delightfully that they stood still and listened to it. And when its song was over, it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they followed it until they reached a little house, on the roof of which it alighted; and when they approached the little house they saw that it was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of clear sugar. \u2018We will set to work on that,\u2019 said Hansel, \u2018and have a good meal. I will eat a bit of the roof, and you Gretel, can eat some of the window, it will taste sweet.\u2019 Hansel reached up above, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it tasted, and Gretel leant against the window and nibbled at the panes. Then a soft voice cried from the parlour:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Nibble, nibble, gnaw,<\/span><\/i>
\n\u00a0\u00a0Who is nibbling at my little house?\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The children answered:<\/span>
\n\u2018The wind, the wind,<\/span><\/i>
\n\u00a0\u00a0The heaven-born wind,\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

and went on eating without disturbing themselves. Hansel, who liked the taste of the roof, tore down a great piece of it, and Gretel pushed out the whole of one round window-pane, sat down, and enjoyed herself with it. Suddenly the door opened, and a woman as old as the hills, who supported herself on crutches, came creeping out. Hansel and Gretel were so terribly frightened that they let fall what they had in their hands. The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said: \u2018Oh, you dear children, who has brought you here? do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall happen to you.\u2019 She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean white linen, and Hansel and Gretel lay down in them, and thought they were in heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n

The old woman had only pretended to be so kind; she was in reality a wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had only built the little house of bread in order to entice them there. When a child fell into her power, she killed it, cooked and ate it, and that was a feast day with her. Witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near. When Hansel and Gretel came into her neighbourhood, she laughed with malice, and said mockingly: \u2018I have them, they shall not escape me again!\u2019 Early in the morning before the children were awake, she was already up, and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with their plump and rosy cheeks she muttered to herself: \u2018That will be a dainty mouthful!\u2019 Then she seized Hansel with her shrivelled hand, carried him into a little stable, and locked him in behind a grated door. Scream as he might, it would not help him. Then she went to Gretel, shook her till she awoke, and cried: \u2018Get up, lazy thing, fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother, he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will eat him.\u2019 Gretel began to weep bitterly, but it was all in vain, for she was forced to do what the wicked witch commanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Gretel got nothing but crab-shells. Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried: \u2018Hansel, stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat.\u2019 Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could not see it, and thought it was Hansel\u2019s finger, and was astonished that there was no way of fattening him. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel still remained thin, she was seized with impatience and would not wait any longer. \u2018Now, then, Gretel,\u2019 she cried to the girl, \u2018stir yourself, and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat or lean, tomorrow I will kill him, and cook him.\u2019 Ah, how the poor little sister did lament when she had to fetch the water, and how her tears did flow down her cheeks! \u2018Dear God, do help us,\u2019 she cried. \u2018If the wild beasts in the forest had but devoured us, we should at any rate have died together.\u2019 \u2018Just keep your noise to yourself,\u2019 said the old woman, \u2018it won\u2019t help you at all.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Early in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the cauldron with the water, and light the fire. \u2018We will bake first,\u2019 said the old woman, \u2018I have already heated the oven, and kneaded the dough.\u2019 She pushed poor Gretel out to the oven, from which flames of fire were already darting. \u2018Creep in,\u2019 said the witch, \u2018and see if it is properly heated, so that we can put the bread in.\u2019 And once Gretel was inside, she intended to shut the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. But Gretel saw what she had in mind, and said: \u2018I do not know how I am to do it; how do I get in?\u2019 \u2018Silly goose,\u2019 said the old woman. \u2018The door is big enough; just look, I can get in myself!\u2019 and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven. Then Gretel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron door, and fastened the bolt. Oh! then she began to howl quite horribly, but Gretel ran away and the godless witch was miserably burnt to death.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gretel, however, ran like lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, and cried: \u2018Hansel, we are saved! The old witch is dead!\u2019 Then Hansel sprang like a bird from its cage when the door is opened. How they did rejoice and embrace each other, and dance about and kiss each other! And as they had no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch\u2019s house, and in every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. \u2018These are far better than pebbles!\u2019 said Hansel, and thrust into his pockets whatever could be got in, and Gretel said: \u2018I, too, will take something home with me,\u2019 and filled her pinafore full. \u2018But now we must be off,\u2019 said Hansel, \u2018that we may get out of the witch\u2019s forest.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

When they had walked for two hours, they came to a great stretch of water. \u2018We cannot cross,\u2019 said Hansel, \u2018I see no foot-plank, and no bridge.\u2019 \u2018And there is also no ferry,\u2019 answered Gretel, \u2018but a white duck is swimming there: if I ask her, she will help us over.\u2019 Then she cried:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Little duck, little duck, dost thou see,<\/span><\/i>
\n\u00a0\u00a0Hansel and Gretel are waiting for thee?<\/span><\/i>
\n\u00a0\u00a0There\u2019s never a plank, or bridge in sight,<\/span><\/i>
\n\u00a0\u00a0Take us across on thy back so white.\u2019<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The duck came to them, and Hansel seated himself on its back, and told his sister to sit by him. \u2018No,\u2019 replied Gretel, \u2018that will be too heavy for the little duck; she shall take us across, one after the other.\u2019 The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and had walked for a short time, the forest seemed to be more and more familiar to them, and at length they saw from afar their father\u2019s house. Then they began to run, rushed into the parlour, and threw themselves round their father\u2019s neck. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left the children in the forest; the woman, however, was dead. Gretel emptied her pinafore until pearls and precious stones ran about the room, and Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket to add to them. Then all anxiety was at an end, and they lived together in perfect happiness. My tale is done, there runs a mouse; whosoever catches it, may make himself a big fur cap out of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Analysis\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

“Hansel and Gretel” is one of the most famous fairy tales collected by the Grimm brothers. It likely has roots in older oral folktales, which the Grimms recorded and published in their 1812 collection of stories.<\/span><\/p>\n

The tale utilizes some common fairy tale tropes – like an evil witch and magical elements – but also has very dark themes for a story aimed at children. It grapples with the frightening prospect of abandonment, murder, even cannibalism. The siblings are left by their parents in the woods to die because of extreme poverty and starvation. They later push the evil witch into an oven to burn to death. This surprising level of violence likely mirrors some of harsher realities of 19th century peasant life in Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n

On another level, the tale seems to act as a metaphor and cautionary tale about the perils of hunger and gluttony. The children eating parts of the witch’s sugary candy house leads to further trouble. It’s interesting to note that food plays a major role in the siblings’ abandonment, temptations into peril, and eventual triumph.<\/span><\/p>\n

The story also focuses a great deal on cleverness carrying the day. Hansel and Gretel outsmart the witch using their wits – evidence of brains over brawn. Hansel carefully tracks the route home, Gretel tricks the witch into the oven, and both take the witch’s treasure in the end through more intelligence. This suggests a moral about intellect and determination overcoming adversary through non-violence when possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

While a simple children\u2019s tale on the surface, analysis reveals \u201cHansel and Gretel\u201d as a layered morality fable reflecting some darker truths about the human experience while extolling redemption through hope, courage and cleverness as timeless virtues<\/span><\/p>\n

Bio<\/span><\/h2>\n

Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859) were German academics, linguists, cultural researchers, and authors who together became famous for collecting and publishing folklore and fairy tales. Their classic works include Children’s and Household Tales, which features famous stories like “Cinderella”,”Snow White,” and “Sleeping Beauty.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Growing up in a small town in central Germany, the brothers were inseparable from a young age. They both studied law at the University of Marburg before beginning careers as librarians and researchers. Their work focused extensively on tracing the origins of the German language, leading them to collect old folk tales and legends told by common villagers, which they then edited and published.<\/span><\/p>\n

Though their names later became synonymous with fairy tales, the Grimms dedicated much of their career to serious academic pursuits. However, it was their children’s stories like Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, and Rumpelstiltskin that left an enduring legacy and defined them as pioneers in the world of folklore. While beloved by children today, their tales were originally intended for adult readers, showcasing complex themes on gender, family, morality and more. The rich legacy of stories they rescued from obscurity continues to entertain and inspire new generations worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n

10 Guided Questions for Hansel and Gretel<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. What details at the beginning of the story establish the woodcutter’s family is struggling with extreme poverty?<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. How do Hansel and Gretel overhear the parents’ plan to abandon them in the woods? What is their initial reaction?<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. What does Hansel do to help find the way back home once abandoned? How is he able to do this even after being left twice?<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Why does the witch build a house of bread and sweets to trap children? What does this suggest about her?<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. How do Hansel and Gretel take advantage of the witch’s poor vision and hearing to resist her?<\/span><\/li>\n
  6. What violent act do the children commit against the witch? How does this reflect the harsh realities of early 19th century life?<\/span><\/li>\n
  7. What lesson does the story seem to impart about problems arising from hunger\/gluttony and from poverty?<\/span><\/li>\n
  8. How do Hansel and Gretel rely on intellect, determination and courage to overcome adversity?<\/span><\/li>\n
  9. What did you think was the most important event or turning point in the plot? Why?<\/span><\/li>\n
  10. What do you think is the key theme or moral of this fairy tale? What critiques or analysis would you make about the story’s treatment of children?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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