Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel Text

Hansel and Gretel is very different from the other pieces we have read. They have to overcome several obstacles in order to survive in the end -- and they have to survive. They have to be resourseful and quick to take action -- maybe throw in some cleverness.

They have to overcome the "mother," who is sometimes called their "step-mother." She is a cruel person, who says that she and her husband have to get rid of the children because they are poor. All they have is bread.

They live out in the Forest, deep in the Forest. So the Forest becomes a kind of microcosm, a small world to itself. They have no neighbors -- unless you call the witch a neighbor.

The children have two immediate obstacles to overcome: they have to find their way back to the house twice using little rocks and bread crumbs.