Billy Ray Blog #9

Marie-Louise von Franz interprets the Grimm’s Fairy Tale “The Three Feather” in such a way that I was able to realize that I missed a large quantity of the symbols in the tale. Von Franz interprets the tale by telling it first, and we find out that the tale is much like any other tale we have read thus far. From the 1-2-3 repetition in the tale, to the magical transformation of a frog into a beautiful girl, the tale is similar to others we have read. Even the ritual of the three feathers that the King does to determine which son would be king is similar to what we have seen in other tales. The only thing not similar to the other tales we have read is that there is no feminine presence in this tale since the mother is absent. Marie-Louise von Franz’s interpretation of this tale opened my eyes not only to the symbolism used in this tale, but also to the people/places/things used as symbols in all Fairy Tales that we have actually already read. I definitely agree with majority of her interpretation.
Von Franz explains king is the embodiment or incarnation of the divine principle. The king is that in its visible form,  so therefore we can look at him as a symbol of the Self. This is because the self (our own kings often held the sphere of the earth-ball, with the cross on it if the king was a Christian, and they carried a number of other symbols which we know from various mythological setups represents the Self). The author then goes on to interpret the three sons, and the two intelligent sons represent the two auxiliary functions in a human being, while Dummling represents the basis of building up the inferior function. Dummling also represents another symbol in this tale, which is the hero (the hero can represent a symbol of the Self or the ego). Von Franz also interprets the blowing of three feathers in the wind as a ritual in cultures, and also as a custom when the consciousness cannot decide rationally (like flipping a coin). The feathers also signifies a bird, which the author mentions.
Marie-Louise von Franz then goes on to explain the interpretation of other things in the tale, one being the toad. The toad symbolizes the Earthmother, or in our civilization, childbirth. She also speaks about Dummling finding the trap door and how other versions differ at this part of the tale. The carpet the toad gives Dummling represents a few things, especially throughout different cultures and European civilization. Mainly, the carpet can symbolize a complex patterns in our lives and dreams. The ring given to Dummling by the Toad could represent the Self again, or a connection fetter. The gold in the ring symbolizes the sun, incorruptibility and immortality. Marie-Louise von Franz also mentions the representation/symbolism of many other things, such as the mouse as a symbol of no sleep/anxiety, and the carrot being represented in a sexual way like Freudians would interpret the vegetable. Overall, Marie-Louise von Franz’s interpretation was very interesting.

Comments

  1. Ayesha AliMay 10, 2020 at 1:11 AM


    Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article! It is the little changes that produce the largest changes.
    Many thanks for sharing!for more stories you must read it. Story Of Cinderella In Short

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