Critical Analysis On Godfather Death

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CRITICAL ANALYSIS ON "GODFATHER DEATH", A FAIRY TALE WRITTEN BY JACOB LUDWIG GRIMM AND WILHELM CARL GRIMM This story is a German fairy tale translated by Jacob Ludwig Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Carl Grimm (1786-1859), brothers born in Germany. The story centers on a 13th son born to a poor old man who can not afford to feed his new offspring. In order to provide for him the poor old man must choose a godfather for his son. He first meets God and dismisses him as a godfather because according to the old man, God is not a fair person. Later he comes across the Devil and again the old man dismisses him also because according to the old man the Devil tricks humans into sin. Finally he comes across the one 'person' that he does accept to be the godfather of his son. That person is Death and he was chosen because Death does not play favoritism with no one, rich or poor Death will take them all when their time comes. After reading this short story a few times it became clear to me of the symbolism present. All the main characters are all male with the exception of the beautiful princess on whom he fell deeply in love with. The story even gives all the main characters a human form be it God, the Devil or Death. We do not see them in this story as supernatural beings but rather as just another person on whom the poor old man just happens to come across as he ran into the highway. No mention is made of the poor old man's wife or of any of his twelve other children in this story, and even thou the story begin with the old man, he soon drops out of the picture and the main characters become the son and his godfather ‘Death'. From the time the son arrives at adulthood the story develops into a classical conflict between a father fig... ... middle of paper ... ...y this made the young doctor almost a god, he could dispense health or death and just about as he wished but with consequences if he disobeyed Death wishes. The lesson here is seen by the folly of his actions, the doctor believes that he is above all earthly constraints and believes that he is indeed a god. The young doctor is placed in this situation on purpose. He is told that he can cure anyone as long as Death allows it but he is also given the choice to do as he pleases albeit with consequences. The young doctor ignores all warnings and ultimately has to pay for his folly with his own life. What the story does is to show us that we are all human. That we can not play with death or life and that ultimately death will come after us be us rich or poor. I specially loved the symbolism of the candles of light, makes me wonder if indeed there could be such a place.

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