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[Lupingosei]

For more than a century this book was either in pretty much every household and even in school libraries in German speaking countries. The author the German doctor Heinrich Hoffmann wanted to show children what happens, if they don't behave or listen to their parents.

This includes the main protagonist Struwwelpeter. Who did not want to cut his hair or fingernails.

Or for example the boy who sucked on his thumps for too long so the tailor cut them off

But there are others, the boy who did not want to eat his soup, so he starved and died.

Or the girl who liked to play with fire, so she set herself on fire.

Some of this stories were so popular, they became part of the German language. For example Zappel Philipp was the German word for what today would be an ADHD kid. Or Hans guck in die Luft, somebody who could not concentrate at the task at hand. In the story he almost drowned, because he was not giving attention to where he was going.

However there was also a story about three kids who made fun of a black kid and were thrown into ink by Santa Claus as punishment.

It is such a weird book and while they already tried to ban it about 50 years ago, you will still find it in a lot of bookstores and libraries today. For over 150 years, this is still part of a lot of people's childhood.

 

[Ownage]

 

[Patrick S.]

Hänsel und Gretel is where it's at.

 

[niveaformen]

That's gruesome and cool. Do you think the stories helped shape the attitudes of generations? What about yourself or family?

 

[jason10mm]

This thing exist in English?

 

[Mihos]

Grimm Fairy tales is also German

 

[BouncyFrag]

fear

 

[nush]

That's gruesome and cool. Do you think the stories helped shape the attitudes of generations? What about yourself or family?

You've seen German porn right?

 

[Pagusas]

I thought this would be a thread about feeling ashamed for WW1 and 2.

 

[Kamina]

I grew up with this book here in Austria.
Yes the stories seem shocking at first, but they are teaching valuable lessons. The world isn’t a comfort zone, not for adults and not for kids either. The sooner we understand this when we grow up the sooner we can cope with the harsh reality.

 

[Punished Miku]

The one about cutting your thumbs off is a little strange, but I guess it helps you realize that bad people exist who can permanently hurt you.

A lot of the others just seem like basic safety lessons, but I haven't read the book.

 

[West Texas CEO]

You've seen German porn right?

 

[Lupingosei]

That's gruesome and cool. Do you think the stories helped shape the attitudes of generations? What about yourself or family?

Well, that is hard to answer, because this is only part of making children shit their pants while growing up. There are a lot of customs all over the German-speaking part of Europe with the same goal.

Learning through fear was critzised a lot especially in the '60s and '70s and a lot of customs, fairy tales, and other things were censored.

The original fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm were way more violent. Funny enough the violence stayed for a very long time, the sex however got censored over time. So was the wolf in Red Riding Hood more a rapist who wanted to steal her virginity.

 

[StormCell]

I thought this would be a thread about feeling ashamed for WW1 and 2.

I assure you, nearly winning is nothing to feel embarrassed about. Keep your heads on a swivel, rest-of-the-world. We'll get you... next time...



/s

 

[StormCell]

OP, I grew up with the brilliance that is Max and Moritz... oh my gawd, I don't think I ever got over the depiction of those two being shoved into the oven by the baker!

He knew what he was doing... simply disturbing! lol

 

[MrS]

What did you expect from Germany?

 

[plushyp]

 

[AJUMP23]

Good thing the Germans listened and never did anything bad that shaped the history of the world. And if they did they would definitely learn from their mistakes the first time.

 

[Biff]

I'm sorry but I can't read that title without thinking of Stroopwafels. You guys have weird cookies.

 

[haxan7]

That is the most metal thing I've ever seen.

 

[Artoris]

This book brings back memories I had all but forgotten

 

[Ma-Yuan]

I had this as a kid too and I call my oldest son zappelphillip if he can't sit still and behave. I don't think it's as bad as people like to believe

 

[Tschumi]

Nightmare of German Speaking coutries for me... my local see in Berlin being full of fat naked old people

 

[Scotty W]

Miau! Mio! Miau! Mio!

 

[Kamina]

OP, I grew up with the brilliance that is Max and Moritz... oh my gawd, I don't think I ever got over the depiction of those two being shoved into the oven by the baker!

He knew what he was doing... simply disturbing! lol

They do survive though and eat themselves out of the dough.
But they meet their end when thrown into the mill.

 

[p_xavier]

Americam university students would have heart attacks by all the triggering.

 

[Roll Fizzlebeef]

Lol didnt dwight read this on the office to kids on bring your daughter to work day?

 

[Herr Edgy]

Fun times growing up. There is so much good stuff there.

 

[Starfield]

HÄNSEL UND GRETEL VERLIEFEN SICH IM WALD

 

[BigBooper]

I enjoyed the Grimm stories as a kid. They were english translations, so probably censored, but still plenty of death and maiming.

 

[StormCell]

They do survive though and eat themselves out of the dough.
But they meet their end when thrown into the mill.

Yes I recalled this, too, while looking for images on image search. Just morbid, but it did get the point across that if you test adults enough they can turn and get rid of a nuisance kid... not defending it, but it does happen.

 

[Ionian]

This thing exist in English?

Yup, had a copy in the local library and also school as a child in Ireland.

It's fascinating and terrifying at the same. Think I was the only kid who really bothered with it

 

[Ionian]

DoubIe post