Frau Trude
by Brothers Grimm · from Household Tales
Original Story
Frau Trude
A fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm
There was once a little girl who was obstinate and inquisitive, and when her parents told her to do anything, she did not obey them, so how could she fare well? One day she said to her parents, "I have heard so much of Frau Trude, I will go to her some day. People say that everything about her does look so strange, and that there are such odd things in her house, that I have become quite curious!" Her parents absolutely forbade her, and said, "Frau Trude is a bad woman, who does wicked things, and if thou goest to her; thou art no longer our child." But the maiden did not let herself be turned aside by her parent's prohibition, and still went to Frau Trude. And when she got to her, Frau Trude said, "Why art thou so pale?" - "Ah," she replied, and her whole body trembled, "I have been so terrified at what I have seen." - "What hast thou seen?" - "I saw a black man on your steps." - "That was a collier." - "Then I saw a green man." - "That was a huntsman." - "After that I saw a blood-red man." - "That was a butcher." - "Ah, Frau Trude, I was terrified; I looked through the window and saw not you, but, as I verily believe, the devil himself with a head of fire." - "Oho!" said she, "then thou hast seen the witch in her proper costume. I have been waiting for thee, and wanting thee a long time already; thou shalt give me some light." Then she changed the girl into a block of wood, and threw it into the fire. And when it was in full blaze she sat down close to it, and warmed herself by it, and said, "That shines bright for once in a way."
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Story DNA
Moral
Disobedience and unchecked curiosity can lead to terrible consequences.
Plot Summary
A disobedient and overly curious girl, despite her parents' strict warnings, insists on visiting the mysterious Frau Trude. Upon arriving at Frau Trude's house, the girl is terrified by strange sights, culminating in her seeing Frau Trude as a fiery devil. Frau Trude, revealing herself as a witch, transforms the girl into a block of wood and burns her in the fireplace, warming herself by the blaze.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to terror
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Grimm's fairy tales often reflect a patriarchal society where disobedience, especially from young girls, is met with severe punishment. The figure of the witch is a common antagonist in German folklore.
Plot Beats (13)
- A little girl is characterized as obstinate and inquisitive, often disobeying her parents.
- The girl expresses a strong desire to visit Frau Trude, known for her strangeness and odd house.
- Her parents strictly forbid her from going, warning that Frau Trude is wicked and she would no longer be their child.
- Ignoring her parents, the girl goes to Frau Trude's house.
- Upon arrival, Frau Trude asks why the girl is so pale.
- The trembling girl recounts seeing a black man, a green man, and a blood-red man on the steps.
- Frau Trude dismisses these sightings as a collier, a huntsman, and a butcher, respectively.
- The girl then confesses to seeing Frau Trude through the window, appearing as the devil with a head of fire.
- Frau Trude confirms the girl saw her in her true witch form.
- Frau Trude states she has been waiting for the girl to provide light.
- Frau Trude transforms the girl into a block of wood.
- Frau Trude throws the wooden block into the fire.
- Frau Trude sits by the fire, warming herself and commenting on the bright light it provides.
Characters
Girl
Pale complexion
Attire: Simple peasant dress, apron
Obstinate, inquisitive
Frau Trude
Implied to have a frightening appearance, able to transform
Attire: Witch's costume, implied to be dark and imposing
Wicked, deceptive
Parents
Not described
Attire: Typical peasant clothing
Protective, authoritative
Locations
The Parents' Home
A place of rules and obedience, though not described visually.
Mood: Restrictive, safe, but ultimately ineffective
The girl disobeys her parents' direct order.
Frau Trude's House - Exterior
The steps leading up to the house, where figures appear.
Mood: Terrifying, surreal, ominous
The girl encounters a series of increasingly frightening figures.
Frau Trude's House - Interior
Visible through the window, a room where the devil with a head of fire is seen.
Mood: Horrific, magical, dangerous
The girl sees the witch's true form and is lured inside.
The Fireplace
A large fireplace where Frau Trude burns the girl.
Mood: Violent, final, triumphant for the witch
The girl's transformation and death.