The Grimm brothers are familiar to every child who has already begun to discover the world of children's literature. More than one generation has grown up in fairy tales that have escaped from the pen of these two recognized masters. Their works affect the personality of a small person, educate a character, shape his values.
The Grimm brothers became known to the world as researchers of folk culture. Jacob and William devoted their lives to the study of folk thought and self-awareness, which are reflected in fairy tales. Philip Wilhelm Grimm was the father of these two brothers, and rightfully could be proud of his sons. This article will focus on the youngest of them - Wilhelm.
Biographical data
In 1786, William Grimm was born. His biography is quite entertaining and interesting. Despite the fact that the leading role in writing belonged to Jacob, his brother was in no way inferior to him. To his liking, he was a dreamer and dreamer, he always worked carefully, verifying the smallest details. His zeal and diligence could only be envied.
Wilhelm Grimm graduated from the University of Marburg. Due to severe health problems (he suffered from asthma and heart pain), he was not able to get any position, so he joined the work on collecting German fairy tales, which was started by his brother Jacob. This lesson attracted William so much that with great enthusiasm and enthusiasm he studied all the necessary materials, analyzed them and made up his own opinion.
Family and activities
Loneliness and personal disorder weighed heavily on William. For a long time he positioned himself only as a researcher and collector of fairy tales. In his life there was no place for personal relationships and family. Only reaching the age of 39, Wilhelm Grimm decided to marry a girl whom he had known since childhood. Henrietta Dorothea Wild helped the brothers in all matters, supported in any endeavors. In 1828, a son, German, was born in their family. Then no one could have imagined that in the future he would be a talented figure in literature.
In 1831, Wilhelm Grimm began work at the University of Gottingen. He held the post of librarian for about four years, and then became a professor. The German philologist studied all his life that was interesting and significant for him. Maybe that's why his tireless work, like his brother Jacob, remained in eternity. Wilhelm Grimm was a representative of the Heidelberg romantics; he set himself the task of reviving social and scientific interest in folk culture.
Creative heritage
Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm created a galaxy of heroes that readers love and know at the moment. Interest in creativity does not fade away after many years, but all because a lot of work has been done, public and personal relevant topics have been touched. The house where Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm lived can be called the guardian of creative heritage. For many years, the brothers worked there exactly as reclusive monks, drawing inspiration from folk tales and entertaining stories. All their life they supplemented and supported each other in everything.
Since childhood, each of us has his own favorite tales, which belong to the pen of these two masters. “Madame Blizzard”, “Hansel and Gretel”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Rapunzel”, “Porridge Pot” - the list goes on and on. Perhaps the main thing is that both brothers worked with complete dedication and enviable tenacity.
"The Bremen Town Musicians"
There is no other fairy tale that would be so inspired by the spirit of romanticism and freedom. Reading the “Bremen Town Musicians”, you forget about everything in the world, you are filled with positive feelings. She teaches goodness, the art of accepting herself in different life situations. The conditions of reality do not always, unfortunately, correspond to our desires and possibilities. However, one should never give up and give up.
All the heroes of this tale - a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster - turned out to be unnecessary to their owners. They grew old and ceased to be beneficial to man. If the animals reconciled with their fate, then, most likely, they disappeared. However, the entrepreneurship of one of them helped the rest not to lose heart, but to change their lives for the better. The tale has a good ending, full of adventure and mystery. She is very fond of children aged five to eight years. Adults also have something to take from this work.
The Brave Tailor
The tale is about how one young master ruined the fabric and decided to radically change his fate. At first, the tailor was seriously scared, and then in despair he ran away from home. Motivated by fear for the spoiled matter, the tailor wanted to avoid punishment. Then he realized that the best defense for him would be to position himself as a brave and courageous strongman.
Soon the whole district knew his name. Rumor spread throughout the city and many were horrified in advance at the mere thought of meeting him. Having chosen the sonorous motto “For good reputation as a strongman - seven in one stroke”, the former tailor completely changed his life. He believed so much in the image that he invented for himself that he really managed to defeat the robbers, tame the unicorn. This tale shows the competition of the human mind, imagination and courage.
"Little White and Rosette"
This story belongs to the category of the most beloved and touching, it is especially loved by children. The two sisters were so close to each other that they were constantly together. They were very much loved by people for their diligent behavior, good education and respect for their elders. Once, a bear came to the house where the girls lived with their mother and asked them to warm themselves by the fireplace. The hostess allowed, and soon the beast remained with them until spring. Then, in the course of several incidents, it turned out that this was not a bear at all, but a young man whom an evil gnome had enchanted in a wild beast. Rosette and Belyanochka showed themselves to him as loyal and faithful friends, for which they were subsequently rewarded. Both sisters found their destiny - one in the person of the newly-minted prince in gold robes, the other married his brother.
The tale is very deep, has a philosophical implication. It fully confirms the idea that virtue always finds reward.
"Sleeping Beauty"
The tale tells the story of a girl who was bewitched by an evil witch. She slept a hundred years, waiting until at one point the prince would awaken her with her appearance. Then the spell lost its power and everything fell into place.
"Sleeping Beauty" contains a complex semantic load. On the one hand, this is an unremarkable story, and on the other, a prototype of the emotional maturation of any girl. Those experiences that each representative of the beautiful half of humanity experiences are very similar to what the main character felt. Sleep also has a metaphorical meaning. Up to a certain age, the girl should be surrounded by a kind of cocoon that will protect her from the intrusion of all outsiders.
"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"
This tale is called the most romantic. She teaches goodness, humility and attentiveness to the environment. The image of Snow White is imbued with genuine femininity and tenderness. She is the true guardian of good and justice. The girl was attentive to all living creatures, she never offended anyone. Her beauty and youth envied her stepmother, who kicked her out of the house. So Snow White found herself in the forest, where she met seven cheerful gnomes. A happy denouement begins when she meets her fate in the face of a young prince.
The tale is filled with positive, colorful details, funny moments. Children love to listen to her and ask their parents to read them a book an infinite number of times.
The creative heritage of the brothers is great and significant. Moreover, it was Wilhelm Grimm who gave the text such a lively, beautiful form. The tales were magnificent: instructive and funny at the same time. It can be compared with a skilled artist who is able to revive the culture of past years through his works.