Household Tales · Question
How does Household Tales develop the theme of Jealousy and Envy?
Answer
Household Tales by Jacob Grimm develops Jealousy and Envy across the chapters the companion marks for this theme.
Envy drives much of the conflict, as seen in the stepmother's attempts to kill Snow-white out of jealousy for her beauty, and the stepmother's envy of her stepdaughter's loveliness in 'The Three Little Men in the Wood.'
The stepmother's envy of the children's happiness drives her to murder the Queen and attempt to replace her with her own daughter.
The enchantress's possessive jealousy over Rapunzel's affection for the prince leads her to cruelly separate them.
The stepmother and stepsister are driven by envy of the stepdaughter's beauty and good fortune, leading to their cruel actions and eventual downfall.
Evidence in the book
- Little Brother and Little Sister
The stepmother's envy of the children's happiness drives her to murder the Queen and attempt to replace her with her own daughter.
- Rapunzel
The enchantress's possessive jealousy over Rapunzel's affection for the prince leads her to cruelly separate them.
- The Three Little Men in the Wood
The stepmother and stepsister are driven by envy of the stepdaughter's beauty and good fortune, leading to their cruel actions and eventual downfall.
- The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage
The bird's envy of the other bird's description of the mouse and sausage's easier tasks leads to the fatal role swap.
- The Singing Bone
The elder brother's envy of the younger's success drives him to murder.
- The Wedding of Mrs. Fox
Old Mr. Fox's feigned death stems from jealousy and suspicion of his wife's fidelity.
- First Story
The old fox's suspicion of his wife's fidelity drives the plot, highlighting jealousy as a catalyst for deception.
- Little Snow-White
The stepmother's envy of Snow-White's beauty drives the entire plot, leading her to attempt murder multiple times.
