"We Are What We Are Supposed to Be": The Brothers Grimm as Fictional Representations

This article examines how the Brothers Grimm are fictionalized in German and Anglo-American media. While some representations revere and romanticize the iconic brothers for preserving the fairy-tale tradition, other depictions challenge the conventional understanding of their work and cultural contribution. In these demythologizing depictions, the Grimms appear ambiguous and even demonic. In recent representations, however, the Grimms—and their heirs—have been recast in positive roles that are both problematic and revealing. The persistent resurrection of the Grimms and the diverse roles they have been asked to play offer insight into the search for cultural myths, meaning, and identity