The Marriage of Mrs. Reynard
A young woman marries a wealthy man but soon discovers he is actually her husband's brother who had been presumed dead and was seeking revenge by marrying his sister-in-law.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fable, Fairy Tale, Folklore · 1,110 words
First lines
There was once an old Fox who thought that his wife was not true to him, and determined to put her to the test. He stretched himself under the bank, lay motionless, and pretended to be as dead as a door nail. Mrs. Reynard went to her chamber, and shut herself in; and her servant, Mistress Cat, sat by the fire, and cooked the dinner.
Now, when it became known that the old Fox was dead, suitors began to announce themselves. Soon afterwards, the servant heard some one knocking at the front door. She went and opened the door, and there stood a young Fox, who said --
What this Textopian page supports
The Marriage of Mrs. Reynard is listed on Textopian as a fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, dated 1815 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: 1815 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Fairy Tale, Folklore, Comedy, Romance
- Length: 1,110 words
- Structure: 1 section, 37 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Marriage of Mrs. Reynard by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- The Wedding Of Mrs Fox by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Master Thief by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Doctor Knowall by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- The Golden Goose by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- Why The Fish Laughed by Joseph Jacobs
- Cat And Mouse In Partnership by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
Genres
- Fable — The story features anthropomorphic animals and conveys a moral lesson about fidelity and trust.
- Fairy Tale — The narrative includes fantastical elements, such as talking animals and a whimsical plot, typical of fairy tales.
- Folklore — The tale is rooted in traditional storytelling, reflecting cultural values and common motifs found in folklore.
- Comedy — The story contains humorous elements, particularly in the interactions and the absurdity of the suitors' rejections.
Tags
Fairy Tale · German Folklore · Marriage Story · Animal Characters · Foxes · Deception · Moral Lesson · Cautionary Tale · Satire · Social Commentary · Family Dynamics · Parent-Child Relationships