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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What animal does the chicken turn into in "The Ungrateful Son"?

2. How does the girl in "The Star-Money" become rich?

3. Why is the old woman in "The Aged Mother" mourning?

4. What is "Strong Hans" a story of?

5. Who dies in "Poverty and Humility Lead to Heaven"?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does The Gold Key have no proper ending?

2. Compare Lazy Harry and Lean Lisa.

3. What is the lesson of The Skillful Huntsman?

4. What is The Twelve Apostles about?

5. Discuss the use of the colors black and white in The White Bride and the Black Bride and The Three Black Princesses.

6. What is the moral of The Poor Boy in the Grave?

7. What do Our Lady's Little Glass and The Hazel Branch have in common?

8. What is the lesson to be learned in Death's Messengers?

9. What is the lesson of The Crumbs on the Table?

10. What is unusual about the tale The Three Brothers if compared to other tales?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the popularity of fairy tales. Why have the tales survived until today? What is the appeal that they carry which has allowed them to span through many countries and over many years?

Essay Topic 2

Many of the fairy tales carry hints of religion, especially Christianity. How do the Grimm Brothers express this? What exactly is said about Christianity, religion, and/or God? Research the religious lives of the Grimm Brothers and religion during the era in which they lived to further explain the use of religion. Use specific examples from specific tales. Use as many as necessary to prove the point.

Essay Topic 3

Evil stepmothers, beautiful maidens, and clever princes are a few examples of certain types of characters that have shown up in several fairy tales. What other character types have reappeared in the tales? Give a description of each character type and explore the different tales that use them. Compare and contrast the characters. Why did the Grimm Brothers use reoccurring characters? What roles do they play and are they realistic in any sense? Why did these characters have a set role? (For example, why is the stepmother always evil?)

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