The symbolic meaning of the forest in the German fairy-tale

Abstract

This article attempts to show how the perception of the forest in the German language space was built and how it changed. It especially focuses on the symbolic interpretation of the forest, explains what some tress symbolize and shows the connection of the forest with the symbolism of the feminine. The article also deals with the perception of the forest in the works by romantic writers and provides examples from some romantic fairy-tales by the Brothers Grimm where the action takes place in the forest. It is worth mentioning that the titles of some fairy-tales by the Brothers Grimm are connected with the tree or with the forest.

Keywords

• fairy-tale
• forest
• language space
• linden
• oak
• perception