Fantasy and Science Fiction: The Human Mind, Our Modern World - Coursera Assignment 1 Grimm's Fairytales
Two Grimm’s Fairytales that share themes of dissatisfaction, greed, and the quest for power are “The Fisherman and His Wife” (p. 100), and “The Knapsack, The Hat, and The Horn” (p. 222). These stories also explore the biblical passage "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7). Ask, but be careful what you wish for.
The third brother in “The Knapsack, The Hat, and The Horn” has a hunger that cannot be sated.
“Silver and gold do not tempt me; I will not gainsay fortune, who has better things in store for me." (p. 223).
In this respect, he is a kindred spirit of the fisherman’s wife. The third brother’s ambition is admirable since he ventures out into the world to gain his family’s respect. However, through his actions, we see that absolute power corrupts absolutely. His kingdom is won only after he destroys it. The fisherman’s wife is ambitious, as well, and has designs to rule over the land.
"Well," said the wife, "if you don't want to be king, I will be king." (p. 103).
Her reign is short lived, which makes “The Fisherman and His Wife” an anti-fairytale. Her wish for wealth and power is granted, and then rescinded. Life returns to its humble beginnings in a hovel by the sea. The argument can be made that the fisherman, in the end, has his wish fulfilled, thereby claiming his place of power and restoring balance in the household.
Covetousness, or greed, exhibited by the third brother and the fisherman’s wife, paves the way for very different endings to these tales. “The Knapsack, The Hat, and The Horn” is the triumph of unchecked power, whereas “The Fisherman and His Wife” is the aftermath of power that has been taken away.
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