Thesis title: The Grimm Effect. From Ancient Forests to Digital Realms: A Synergic Analysis of the Brothers Grimm’s Early Collections through the Lens of Elemental Ecocriticism
This research work explores the intersection of folklore, ecocriticism, and digital humanities, tracing how storytelling has shaped human perceptions of nature and continues to do so in the digital age. At its core lies a paradox: while myths and folktales have long inscribed nature into cultural memory, modern narratives have often positioned it as external to human existence. By re-examining the Brothers Grimm’s collections of fairy tales and legends through an elemental-ecocritical lens, this study uncovers proto-ecological traces in their work, revealing how their engagement with oral traditions preserved an entangled vision of nature and culture.
The research unfolds across four chapters, beginning with an investigation into the contemporary relevance of the Grimms’ tales, questioning their transformation through modern adaptations and literary reinterpretations. It then turns to the historical and intellectual contexts that informed their collections, situating them within the broader landscape of Romantic thought and the evolving discipline of folklore studies. A close analysis of selected texts follows, focusing on elemental motifs—earth, air, fire, and water—as fundamental mediators of the human-nature relationship. Finally, the dissertation culminates in a digital proof of concept, NaviWald, a conceptual search tool designed to visualise intertextual and thematic connections between folktales. By bridging deep and distant reading methodologies, this project also demonstrates how digital tools can foster new ways of engaging with folklore, enhancing ecological awareness and interdisciplinary scholarship.