Grimms' Fairy Tales book club questions

The reading plan

Meeting 1: Parts 1 to 22

1. Is Hans foolish or wise to celebrate having nothing left?
2. What does the unwanted animals' success suggest about who deserves a safe home?
3. How should Sultan weigh loyalty against what he owes the helper who saved his place?
4. Where would you draw the line between a fair wish and asking too much?
5. How much should reluctance matter when judging the princess's decision to keep her promise?

Meeting 2: Parts 23 to 45

6. How should responsibility be shared when the miller's boast traps his daughter in dangerous bargains?
7. Does Gretel's cleverness make her deception easier to enjoy or harder to excuse?
8. What makes clothes a fitting or unfitting thank-you for the secret helpers?

Meeting 3: Parts 46 to 62

9. Should the abandoned horse have to prove his worth to earn a welcome from his unkind master?
10. How far does being dismissed without wages justify the wounded veteran's revenge?
11. How do the traveler's failed tests affect your view of his later use of stolen magical tools?
12. Does Crabb's success suggest that a reputation depends more on confidence, luck, or other people's fears?
13. How should we judge a father's angry wish when his daughter must sacrifice so much to undo it?

Themes to talk about

Tips for the host

1. Open each meeting with one question everyone can answer, then go deeper.
2. Anyone who fell behind can catch up with the 15-minute summary.