What compelled the Grimms to concentrate on old German epics, tales, and literature was a belief that the
most natural and pure forms of culture-those which held
the community together-were linguistic and based in
history. According to them, modern literature, even
though it might be remarkably rich, was artificial and
thus could not express the genuine essence
of Volk culture that emanated naturally from experience
and bound the people together. Therefore, all their efforts
went toward uncovering stories from the past.
-"How the Grimm Brothers Saved
the Fairy Tale,"
Jack Zipes
What is the author's purpose for writing the essay "How
the Grimm Brothers Saved the Fairy Tale"?
O to entertain children with details from the Grimms'
tales
O to persuade adults to read and enjoy fairy tales
more often
O to inform scholars of the ways modern literature can
be artificial
O to inform readers of the reasons why the Grimms
collected their tales