PART the FOURTH
by Unknown · from The Story of Jack and the Giants
Adapted Version
Jack was a brave boy. He liked fun things. One day, he wanted a new one. He felt bored. He left his home. He looked for fun. He walked far.
Jack came to a big mountain. A small house was there. It was at the mountain's foot. An Old Man lived inside. His hair was white. He opened the door. He was kind. He let Jack in.
The Old Man told Jack a secret. A big castle was on the mountain. The Big Giant lived there. A Tricky magic man was with him. They changed people into beasts. This was a bad magic. A Princess became a deer. She was very sad. Jack wanted to help her.
Two big fiery birds guarded the castle. They were Griffins. They watched the gate. No one could pass them. But Jack had a magic coat. It made him unseen. The birds could not see him. Jack could go past.
Jack felt brave. He would help the Princess. He promised the Old Man. He would break the magic. Jack went to sleep. He slept very well.
Morning came. Jack woke up early. He put on his magic coat. It made him unseen. He started to climb. He went up the mountain.
Jack saw the fiery Griffins. They did not see him. His coat was good. He walked past them. He came to the gate. A shiny golden horn was there. It hung on the gate.
Jack took the golden horn. He blew it very loud. The sound was big. The castle shook. The gates flew open. The Big Giant was scared. The Tricky magic man was scared. They trembled with fear.
Jack was very brave. He held his sharp sword. He fought the Big Giant. He made the Big Giant go away. The Tricky magic man left too. A strong wind took him. The bad magic was gone.
All the beasts changed back. They became people again. The knights were happy. The ladies were happy. The castle went away. It was like smoke. Each one was free now.
Jack went to King Arthur. He told his brave story. The King was proud. The Princess's father was happy. He let Jack marry his daughter. Jack was very happy.
Jack and the Princess got married. They lived in a nice home. The King gave it to them. They were very happy always. Jack was brave. He helped others. Good things came to him.
Original Story
PART THE FOURTH.
Courted and flattered as he was, yet after staying with the Knight and his lady for some time, Jack grew weary of such an idle life, and set out again in search of new adventures. He went over hills and dales without meeting any, till he came to the foot of a very high mountain. Here he knocked at the door of a small and lonely house, and an old man, with a head as white as snow, let him in.
“Good father,” said Jack, “can you lodge a traveller who has lost his way?”
“Yes,” said the hermit, “I can, if you will accept such fare as my poor house affords.”
Jack entered, and the old man set before him some bread and fruit for his supper. When Jack had eaten as much as he chose, the hermit said,—
“My son, I know you are the famous conqueror of Giants; now, at the top of this mountain is an enchanted Castle, kept by a Giant named Galligantus, who, by the help of a vile Magician, gets many knights and ladies into his Castle, where he changes them into the shape of beasts. Above all, I lament the hard fate of a duke's daughter, whom they seized as she was walking in her father's garden, and brought hither through the air in a chariot drawn by two fiery dragons, and turned her into the shape of a deer. Many knights have tried to destroy the enchantment, and deliver her; yet none have been able to do it, by reason of two fiery Griffins, who guard the gate of the Castle, and destroy all who come nigh: but as you, my son, have an invisible coat, you may pass by them without being seen; and on the gates of the Castle you will find engraved by what means the enchantment may be broken.”
Jack promised that, in the morning, at the risk of his life, he would break the enchantment; and, after a sound sleep, he arose early, put on his invisible coat, and got ready for the attempt. When he had climbed to the top of the mountain, he saw the two fiery Griffins; but he passed between them without the least fear of danger, for they could not see him because of his invisible coat. On the Castle-gate hung a golden trumpet, under which were these lines:—
“Whoever doth this Trumpet blow,
Shall cause the Giant's overthrow!”
As soon as Jack had read this, he seized the trumpet, and blew a shrill blast, which made the gates fly open, and the very Castle itself tremble. The Giant and the Conjuror now knew that their wicked course was at an end, and they stood biting their thumbs, and shaking with fear. Jack, with his sword of sharpness, soon killed the Giant; and the Magician was then carried away by a whirlwind; and every knight and beautiful lady, who had been changed into birds and beasts, returned to their proper shapes. The Castle vanished away like smoke, and the head of the Giant Galligantus was sent to King Arthur. The knights and ladies rested that night at he old man's hermitage, and next day set out for the Court.
Jack then went up to the King, and gave his majesty an account of all his fierce battles. Jack's fame had spread through the whole country; and, at the King's desire, the Duke gave him his daughter in marriage, to the joy of all the kingdom. After this, the King gave Jack a large estate, on which he and his lady lived the rest of their days in joy and content.
Robson, Levey, and Franklyn, Great New Street, Fetter Lane.
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Story DNA
Moral
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Plot Summary
Jack, a renowned giant-slayer, grows weary of an idle life and seeks new adventures. He encounters a hermit who reveals an enchanted castle where a Giant and a Magician transform people into beasts, including a duke's daughter. Armed with his invisible coat, Jack bypasses the castle's guardians, blows a magical trumpet to open the gates, and defeats the Giant and Magician. This breaks the enchantment, restoring all victims to their human forms. Jack is celebrated, marries the duke's daughter, and lives happily ever after.
Themes
Emotional Arc
weariness to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is part of the traditional 'Jack and the Beanstalk' or 'Jack the Giant Killer' cycle of stories, often featuring King Arthur, though not always directly tied to Arthurian legend. The concept of a hero gaining status and wealth through valor is common in European folklore.
Plot Beats (13)
- Jack, bored with an idle life, sets out for new adventures.
- He finds a lonely house at the foot of a mountain and is welcomed by a hermit.
- The hermit reveals that a Giant named Galligantus and a vile Magician enchant people into beasts in a castle on the mountain, including a duke's daughter turned into a deer.
- The hermit tells Jack about the two fiery Griffins guarding the castle and that Jack's invisible coat can help him pass.
- Jack promises to break the enchantment and sleeps soundly.
- The next morning, Jack puts on his invisible coat and climbs the mountain.
- He passes the fiery Griffins unseen and finds a golden trumpet on the castle gate with an inscription.
- Jack blows the trumpet, causing the castle to shake and the gates to open, terrifying the Giant and Magician.
- Jack kills the Giant with his sword of sharpness, and the Magician is carried away by a whirlwind.
- All knights and ladies transformed into beasts and birds return to their human shapes, and the castle vanishes.
- The Giant's head is sent to King Arthur, and everyone rests at the hermitage before heading to court.
- Jack recounts his battles to King Arthur, and his fame leads the Duke to offer his daughter's hand in marriage.
- Jack marries the duke's daughter and receives a large estate from the King, where they live happily ever after.
Characters
Jack
Of average height and build, agile and quick, with a determined demeanor. His features are likely sharp and alert, reflecting his adventurous spirit. Given the story's British origin, he would have fair skin.
Attire: Practical, sturdy traveler's attire suitable for long journeys over hills and dales. This would include a tunic of sturdy wool or linen, likely in muted earth tones like brown or forest green, with practical breeches and leather boots. He might wear a simple leather belt.
Wants: To seek new adventures, conquer evil, and use his abilities to help those in need. He desires fame and a meaningful life beyond idleness.
Flaw: His restlessness can lead him to grow weary of a peaceful life, constantly seeking danger.
He starts restless and seeking adventure, fulfills his heroic destiny by defeating Galligantus and the Magician, and ultimately finds contentment and a settled life through marriage and a royal estate.
Brave, adventurous, determined, honorable, and somewhat restless. He seeks out challenges and is committed to righting wrongs.
The Hermit
A frail but wise old man, with a slight stoop from age. His frame is thin, and his movements are slow but deliberate. His skin is weathered from years of living in solitude.
Attire: Simple, coarse robes of undyed wool or linen, likely in a muted grey or brown, reflecting his ascetic lifestyle. The fabric would be worn but clean, perhaps tied with a rope belt.
Wants: To live a peaceful, solitary life, and to assist those who are worthy and capable of fighting evil, particularly to break the enchantment on the mountain.
Flaw: His advanced age and solitary lifestyle limit his ability to directly intervene in the world's dangers.
Remains a static character, serving as a catalyst and informant for Jack's adventure.
Wise, hospitable, benevolent, and knowledgeable about local enchantments and dangers. He is a quiet observer and a helpful guide.
Giant Galligantus
Enormous and imposing, a true giant in stature. His build would be massive and muscular, indicative of immense strength. His skin might be rough or craggy, like stone.
Attire: Minimal and crude, befitting a giant. Perhaps a simple, rough-spun tunic or animal hides, possibly with crude metal or leather armbands. His clothing would be utilitarian and show signs of wear and tear.
Wants: To maintain his enchanted castle, capture knights and ladies, and transform them into beasts for his amusement or to consolidate his power.
Flaw: His reliance on the Magician and the enchantment, and his inherent cowardice when directly confronted by a superior force.
Introduced as a powerful and feared antagonist, he is swiftly defeated and killed by Jack, leading to the breaking of his enchantment.
Cruel, powerful, wicked, and cowardly when faced with true defeat. He enjoys tormenting others and relies on magic to maintain his power.
The Vile Magician
Likely gaunt and perhaps stooped, with an air of sinister power rather than physical strength. His movements would be precise and unsettling.
Attire: Dark, flowing robes, possibly of a rich but somber fabric like velvet or heavy silk, embroidered with arcane symbols. He might wear a tall, pointed hat. His attire would suggest a mastery of dark arts.
Wants: To assist the Giant in his wicked schemes, likely for personal gain, power, or simply a love of malevolence.
Flaw: His reliance on the enchantment and the Giant, and his inability to withstand direct confrontation without his magic.
Introduced as a powerful enchanter, he is swiftly defeated and carried away by a whirlwind after Jack kills the Giant, signifying the end of his evil influence.
Vile, cunning, wicked, and cowardly. He uses his magical power for evil and relies on the Giant for physical enforcement.
Duke's Daughter
Described as 'beautiful,' implying graceful features and a delicate build. Her appearance would reflect her noble birth.
Attire: Before her transformation, she would have worn a fine gown of rich fabric, perhaps silk or brocade, in a vibrant color, indicative of her status as a duke's daughter. After being restored, she would likely be in similar attire, though perhaps initially disheveled.
Wants: To be freed from her enchantment and returned to her true form and family.
Flaw: Vulnerable to the Magician's power, leading to her transformation.
Starts as a helpless victim, transformed into a deer, and is ultimately restored to her human form and marries Jack, finding happiness and security.
Implied to be gentle and innocent, a victim of circumstance. Her resilience is shown by her survival through the enchantment.
Locations
Hermit's Lonely House
A small and lonely house at the foot of a very high mountain, providing simple fare of bread and fruit.
Mood: Humble, safe, wise, a place of refuge and counsel
Jack receives lodging and learns about the enchanted castle and its curse from the hermit.
Enchanted Castle on the Mountain Top
An enchanted castle at the very top of a high mountain, guarded by two fiery Griffins, with a golden trumpet on its gate.
Mood: Perilous, magical, foreboding, but with a hint of hope
Jack approaches the castle, bypasses the Griffins, reads the inscription, and blows the golden trumpet to break the enchantment.
Interior of Galligantus's Castle
The interior of the enchanted castle, where the Giant Galligantus and the Magician reside, and where knights and ladies are transformed into beasts.
Mood: Sinister, fearful, magical, oppressive, then suddenly liberated
Jack confronts and defeats the Giant and Magician, causing the enchantment to break and the transformed people to return to their true forms, before the castle vanishes.