Reading Notes: Brothers Grimm (Ashliman), Part B
The story in the first part of this unit that I have chosen to focus my reading notes on is "The Duration of Life"
This story takes a religious approach, focusing on God's relation to the duration of life. It starts out by beginning when God created the world, discussing what lifespan he was considering to give to all of the creatures.
Much of this story is God going back and forth with creatures deciding what their lifespan will be, so my notes will be shorter when describing this, adding more details if thought to be necessary.
Donkey - God was originally going to give him 30 years but the Donkey thought this too long a life for the hard labor they had to endure, so God took away 18 years.
Dog - God was also going to give him 30 years too but the dog thought that too long, so God took away 12 years.
Monkey - God also offers him 30 years - the monkey too requested smaller - God gave him 10.
Then man made an appearance - God also offered him 30 years but he thought that far too little. God gives him both the Donkey and Dogs years, he still thinks it is too small. God then gives him the monkey's 10 years too and says he will give no more.
The man left unsatisfied.
Thus, man live 70 years, the first 30 are human years, full of youth. They pass quickly and here he is happy and healthy. The Donkey's 18 years follow, here he suffers one burden after another. Then comes the dog's 12 years, man lie in the corner growling no longer having teeth wishing ot bite. Then comes the monkey's 10 years. During this time the man is weak-headed and foolish - doing things to the amusement of children - who are still in their original human years.
Bibliography:
"The Duration of Life."
Story source: The Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales translated by D. L. Ashliman (1998-2013).
This story takes a religious approach, focusing on God's relation to the duration of life. It starts out by beginning when God created the world, discussing what lifespan he was considering to give to all of the creatures.
Much of this story is God going back and forth with creatures deciding what their lifespan will be, so my notes will be shorter when describing this, adding more details if thought to be necessary.
Donkey - God was originally going to give him 30 years but the Donkey thought this too long a life for the hard labor they had to endure, so God took away 18 years.
Dog - God was also going to give him 30 years too but the dog thought that too long, so God took away 12 years.
Monkey - God also offers him 30 years - the monkey too requested smaller - God gave him 10.
Then man made an appearance - God also offered him 30 years but he thought that far too little. God gives him both the Donkey and Dogs years, he still thinks it is too small. God then gives him the monkey's 10 years too and says he will give no more.
The man left unsatisfied.
Thus, man live 70 years, the first 30 are human years, full of youth. They pass quickly and here he is happy and healthy. The Donkey's 18 years follow, here he suffers one burden after another. Then comes the dog's 12 years, man lie in the corner growling no longer having teeth wishing ot bite. Then comes the monkey's 10 years. During this time the man is weak-headed and foolish - doing things to the amusement of children - who are still in their original human years.
(Statue in the Cathedral of Trier, Germany (2006), Source: Wikimedia)
Bibliography:
"The Duration of Life."
Story source: The Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales translated by D. L. Ashliman (1998-2013).
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