Der Baum und der Wald – Symbolik, Magie und Mythos in den Grimm-Märchen
The Tree and the Forest – Symbolism, Magic and Myth in Grimmʼs Fairy Tales

Summary/Abstract: The forest as a topos and the tree as part of the forest have always played an important role in the fairy tale collection of the Brothers Grimm. Due to the proximity of many villages to the forest, it was part of peopleʼs everyday living space. The forests not only had a practical function, but were also considered places of retreat, an idea that was mystified by folk tales. In this way, the forest became a symbolically charged space that provided inspiration and enriched fairy tale storytelling poetically and mythologically. Based on this space, this work analyses several fairy tales whose plots are linked to the forest. The fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm illustrate that folk poetry not only conveys simple stories, but also uses symbols such as the forest and trees to bring collective values, mythical ideas and processes of transformation to life, which remain effective in literature and culture to this day.

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