The Owl, the Raven, and the Dove: The Religious Meaning of the Grimms' Magic Fairy Tales

By G. Ronald Murphy

Book Overview

The fairy tales collected by the brothers Grimm are among the best known and most widely-read stories in western literature. In recent years commentators such as Bruno Bettelheim have, usually from a psychological perspective, pondered the underlying meaning of the stories, why children are so enthralled by them, and what effect they have on the the best-known tales (Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty) and shows that the Grimms saw them as Christian fables. Murphy examines the arguments of previous interpreters of the tales, and demonstrates how they missed the Grimms' intention. His own readings of the five so-called "magical" tales reveal them as the beautiful and inspiring "documents of faith" that the Grimms meant them to be.
Offering an entirely new perspective on these often-analyzed tales, Murphy's book will appeal to those concerned with the moral and religious education of children, to students and scholars of folk literature and children's literature, and to the many general readers who are captivated by fairy tales and their meanings.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195151690
• ISBN13: 9780195151695
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

AS Promised

This book was purchased new, and it was in its promised condition. the seller was prompt and I receieved the product via, air mail! It came in its promised time and condition!The Owl, The Raven, and the Dove: The Religious Meaning of the Grimms' Magic Fairy Tales

Having Read A Selection

I was given a selection regarding "Hansel And Gretel" from this book for my German Fairy Tales, Folktales, and Fables course. I was very impressed by Murphy's work. What was so fascinating was the use of the Grimm's VERY OWN notes in regards to the story being used as an allegory for spiritual maturation into the Christian faith. He never implies that the tales had a Christian origin, but he does explain clearly how the Grimm brothers took the tales and made them personal expressions of faith by using their own words and commentaries. He pays homage to their extra-German origin, but he does so without downplaying the brothers' own influence on the formation of these particular versions. An impressive work.

Magnificent achievement

A groundbreaking analysis of Grimm's fairy tales. Ronald Murphy does a superb job of demonstrating how the Brother Grimm drew out the Christian meaning in the tales, often by adding symbolic or allegorical material. This is a tour-de-force of insightful scholarship and literary detective work.I note that one of the other reviews of this book claims that Murphy says the tales are of Christian origin. But this is not the case; rather, he suggests that the tales contain elements of Greco-Roman, Egyptian, Germanic, and French folklore. The point is, as Murphy so masterfully demonstrates, that the Grimms took this material and exposed its latent Christian meaning. This is one of the best books about Grimm's tales to come across in many year; highly recommended.

The Owl, the Raven, and the Dove: The Religious Meaning

The author has a pleasant surprise in store for his readers. This book is NOT the typical, intellectual, academic variety. It is written in down-to-earth language!Anyone who remembers the Grimms' Brothers fairytales (and who doesn't? ) will thoroughly enjoy exploring the religious symbolism behind the stories.I never realized how spiritual the Grimms' Brothers were! It's the perfect book for any "grown-up child" who is ready to "see" the connection between a fairytale and God.After reading this book, these stories will gives you something more to remember...a greater appreciation for the literary talent of two brothers who used the simple language of a child to express their belief in God.