In the olden days, when wishing still worked, there lived a king whose daughters were all beautiful, but the youngest daughter was so lovely that even the sun... was struck with wonder.
Jacob GrimmRead
My mother, she killed me, My father, he ate me, My sister Marlene, Gathered all my bones, Tied them in a silken scarf, Laid them beneath the juniper tree, Tweet, tweet, what a beautiful bird am I.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the complex and sometimes dark nature of familial relationships and the cycle of life and death.
In this haunting excerpt from a fairy tale by Jacob Grimm, the speaker recounts a tragic story of betrayal and death within a family, ultimately transforming into a beautiful bird. The juxtaposition of violence and beauty highlights the duality of family ties, touching on themes of love, loss, and rebirth, suggesting that even from the most painful experiences, something beautiful can emerge.
Themes
FamilyBetrayalTransformationLossRebirth
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the complexity of family dynamics in literature.
More from Jacob Grimm
All quotes →Similar quotes
It doesn't matter how old you are or what you do with your life, you will never stop needing your mum. And I will never stop needing mine, so thanks, Mum.
Kate WinsletRead
Your children are not your children, they come through you, but they are life itself, wanting to express itself.
Wayne DyerRead
To be a good mother, a woman must have sense, and that independence of mind which few women possess who are taught to depend entirely on their husbands. Meek wives are, in general, foolish mothers; wanting their children to love them best, and take their part, in secret, against the father, who is held up as a scarecrow.
Mary WollstonecraftRead
Workers should have Sundays off because Sunday is for the family. Calling for Sundays to be a holiday.
Pope FrancisRead
My family truly believes they are better cooks than I am. They see me as Giada, not as a celebrity chef. To them I'm just me - their granddaughter, niece, etc., and they're older and wiser. I like that because it keeps you grounded.
Giada De LaurentiisRead
My dad was an incredibly brave man, completely dedicated to his family, with a love for all. If I could be half the dad he was, to my children, then that will be an achievement in itself. He died 14 months exactly to the start of the 2012 Olympics. I hope he will be watching and waving his big union jack in London from somewhere else. I love you so much dad.
Tom DaleyRead