A Well Traveled Theme

In Grimm’s fairytales, shoes play an important role. They're meant to represent literal and philosophical journeys the characters face. Shoes also embody the ideas of glory, retribution and self-confidence.         

In “The Elves”, a hardworking, pious couple falls on hard times. For some reason, their shoes don’t sell, which depresses the cobbler. To him his life is worthless. However, there were elves who believed in him. They see the greatness he could become. They help him. For months, these beings create the shoes, which sell. Overjoyed with their luck, the couple wants to discover who’s helping them. When they do, the wife sews the elves clothes. This reward proves that even with their newfound affluence, they haven't changed or become greedy. Until his death “whateve[r] he took in hand prospered” (Grimm 172), even without the elves’ skills. By the elves providing help, the shoemaker regains his self-confidence once lost.

At the other end of the spectrum, shoes represent retribution. In “Snow White”, the Stepmother attempts to murder Snow White no more than four times after her magic mirror proclaims, “Queen, you are full fair, 'tis true, But Snow-white fairer is than you.” (Grimm 214). To get her just deserts, she’s invited to Prince Charming and Snow White’s wedding. Not only is the stepmother viewing Snow White on her happiest day, but she ultimately pays the price for her plot. At this celebration, the stepmother is forced to dance in red-hot slippers; she must do so until she dies. Perhaps if the woman hadn’t been so homicidal, she could’ve attended as an honored guest in a luxurious pair of slippers.

By walking through these stories, the hidden meaning of shoes can be uncovered. “Aschenputtel” (Cinderella) and “Clever Grethel” also use footwear as symbolism. The reader just has to take a stroll through these tales to find out.

Works Cited

Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. "The Elves." Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Household Stories: from the collection of the bros. Trans. Lucy Crane. London: MacMillan, 1882. 171-174. eBook.

Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. "Snow White." Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Household Stories: from the collection of the bros. Trans. Lucy Crane London : MacMallan , 1882. 213-222. eBook.