The Glass Coffin
A young woman is sold into slavery to a wicked sorcerer who keeps her in a glass coffin. She remains there for years until she is rescued by a prince who breaks the curse and frees her.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1819 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure · 2,686 words
First lines
Let no one ever say that a poor tailor cannot do great things and win high honors; all that is needed is that he should go to the right smithy, and what is of most consequence, that he should have good luck. A civil, adroit tailor's apprentice once went out travelling, and came into a great forest, and, as he did not know the way, he lost himself. Night fell, and nothing was left for him to do, but to seek a bed in this painful solitude. He might certainly have found a good bed on the soft moss, but the fear of wild beasts let him have no rest there, and at last he was forced to make up his mind to spend the night in a tree. He sought out a high oak, climbed up to the top of it, and thanked God that he had his goose with him, for otherwise the wind which blew over the top of the tree would have carried him away.
What this Textopian page supports
The Glass Coffin is listed on Textopian as a fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, dated 1819 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
- Date: 1819 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, Mythology
- Length: 2,686 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Glass Coffin by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Glass Coffin?
- How does this fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The narrative follows a traditional fairy tale structure with magical elements, a moral lesson, and a happy ending.
- Fantasy — The story includes fantastical elements such as magic, transformations, and enchanted objects.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with challenges, encounters with magical creatures, and a quest for liberation.
- Romance — The plot involves a romantic element where the protagonist rescues and marries a maiden.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Romance · Tragedy · Love Story · Magic · Fantasy · Mythology · Legend · Cultural Heritage · Historical Fiction · 18th Century Setting