Un protagoniste sort de l 'ombre

Abstract

The first thing that startles us about “The Frog King; or, Iron Henry” is its title. It announces an aspect of the actual tale that is even more disconcerting: it is dual, in a way that is unique in Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Is it possible to perceive a coherence between the tale proper and its coda, which is a beautiful story in itself, but at first glance does not seem necessary to the narrative? The prince’s journey to his kingdom with his beloved is a classic motif, but here, the princess disappears while Iron Henry steps out of the shadows to take her place in the narrative. Not surprisingly, some interpretations simply omit the coda. Yet its presence stems from a conscious, deliberate choice - an intention - as is shown by study of the origins and development of the tale. This study attempts to determine what that intention was and whether it is possible to discern a secret coherence between the two parts.
Key words: Brothers Grimm, “Frog King”, literary genesis of the tale, authorial process, metapoetological reflection.