The Raven by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
This work is a poem about a man who is mourning the loss of his beloved. A raven enters and speaks to him with words that are both ominous and enigmatic. The poem explores themes of love, loss, and the supernatural.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1845 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure · 2,643 words
First lines
There was once upon a time a Queen who had a little daughter who was still so young that she had to be carried. One day the child was naughty, and the mother might say what she liked, but the child would not be quiet. Then she became impatient, and as the ravens were flying about the palace, she opened the window and said, "I wish you were a raven and would fly away, and then I should have some rest. " Scarcely had she spoken the words, before the child was changed into a raven, and flew from her arms out of the window. It flew into a dark forest, and stayed in it a long time, and the parents heard nothing of their child. Then one day a man was on his way through this forest and heard the raven crying, and followed the voice, and when he came nearer, the bird said, "I am a king's daughter by birth, and am bewitched, but thou canst set me free. " "What am I to do," asked he. She said, "Go further into the forest, and thou wilt find a house, wherein sits an aged woman, who will offer thee meat and drink, but you must accept nothing, for if you eatest and drinkest anything, thou wilt fall into a sleep, and then thou wilt not be able to deliver me. In the garden behind the house there is a great heap of tan, and on this thou shalt stand and wait for me. For three days I will come every afternoon at two o'clock in a carriage. On the first day four white horses will be harnessed to it, then four chestnut horses, and lastly four black ones; but if thou art not awake, but sleeping, I shall not be set free. " The man promised to do everything that she desired, but the raven said, alas, "I know already that thou wilt not deliver me; thou wilt accept something from the woman."
What this Textopian page supports
The Raven is listed on Textopian as a fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, dated 1845 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: 1845 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, Moral Tale
- Length: 2,643 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Raven 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
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Raven?
- 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?
Similar titles
- The Elves by Johann Ludwig Tieck
- Deaths Messengers by Jacob And Wilhelm Grimm
- A Story From The Sand Dunes by Hans Christian Andersen
- The Blacksmiths Stool The Story Of A Man Who Found That Death Was Necessary by Parker Fillmore
- Eagle And Stag by James Mcintyre
- The White Egbert by Johann Ludwig Tieck
Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story features magical transformations, enchanted creatures, and a quest, all typical elements of fairy tales.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical elements such as a bewitched princess, magical objects, and mythical creatures.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with challenges and encounters with giants and robbers.
- Romance — The central plot revolves around the protagonist's quest to rescue and marry the bewitched princess.
Tags
Dark Fantasy · Poetry · Mystery · Supernatural · Gothic · Atmospheric · Symbolism · Death · Loss · Memory · Obsession · Madness