Brothers Grimm. “The Maiden without Hands.” Grimm’s Household Fairy Tales, translated by Ella Boldey, with illustrations by R. André, New York: McLoughlin Bros., 1890, pp. 150-154.

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 20:53:26 +0000

Brothers Grimm. “The Maiden without Hands.” Grimm’s Household Fairy Tales, translated by Ella Boldey, with illustrations by R. André, New York: McLoughlin Bros., 1890, pp. 150-154. Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 08/30/2021 - 14:53

Tale Summary

The tale begins with an old man, the antagonist, who approaches a poor miller about an exchange for wealth for what is standing behind the mill (the miller was unaware that his daughter was standing behind the mill). Three years later the old man came to claim his reward three different times but could not take the maiden because she had water on her. Threats from the old man caused the miller to chop off his daughters’ hands since there were tears on them. Ultimately, the old man gave up on his prize, leading to the handless maiden leaving her home and accidentally reaching the kings’ garden. Because she prayed to God, an angel was sent to help the maiden retrieve food from the garden, and she was later discovered by the king. The king and maiden eventually marry and she was given silver hands. Years later when the king left for war, the maiden had a baby and a messenger was sent with a letter that delivered the news. On the way the messenger stopped at the old man's house, and the old man replaced the letters with terrible orders including to murder the maiden and their child. The king’s mother couldn’t follow through with this, so she sent the maiden and child into the woods. Again, the maiden prayed which allowed the two of them to be taken care of in an angels’ house for seven years until the king finally discovered what the old man had done and found his wife and son. The tale concludes with a second happy ending of festivities and rejoicing in the kingdom.

Fairy Tale Title

The Maiden without Hands

Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)

Brothers Grimm

Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)

Richard André

Common Tale Type

The Maiden without Hands

Tale Classification

ATU 706

Page Range of Tale

pp. 150-154

Full Citation of Tale

Brothers Grimm. “The Maiden without Hands.” Grimm’s Household Fairy Tales, translated by Ella Boldey, with illustrations by R. André, New York: McLoughlin Bros., 1890, pp. 150-154.

Original Source of the Tale

Brothers Grimm

Tale Notes

This tale is a translation from the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale that is about nameless characters including a maiden whose hands get cut off by her own father, a miller, in order to follow through with a promise he had made to an old man who promised him riches. This version has a heavy emphasis on prayer and religion, highlighted in a black and white illustration of an angel that assists and ultimately leads the maiden to a happy ending of being reunited with the king (her husband). There is also a strong emphasis on an old man deceiving the main characters and driving forward the plot.

AV��ʪ and Curation

Bri Doerfler, 2020

Book Title

Grimm's Household Fairy Tales

Book Author/Editor(s)

Brothers Grimm

Illustrator(s)

Richard André

Publisher

McLoughlin Bros.

Date Published

1890

Decade Published

1890-1899

Publisher City

New York

Publisher Country

United States

Language

English

Rights

Public Domain

Digital Copy

Available at the University of Florida's Digital Library

Book Notes

None

Traditional

White