Summary of Jack and the Beanstalk
The story of Jack and the beanstalk revolves around a young boy and his mother who live in a small house, relying on their cow for income. One day, the cow stops producing milk, so Jack decides to sell it at the market. On his way there, he encounters an old man who offers magical beans in exchange for the cow. Despite returning home without money, which infuriates his mother, Jack agrees to the deal.
While sleeping, enormous beanstalk emerges from the discarded beans. Mesmerized by its size, Jack decides to climb it and finds himself in a towering land. He follows a path that leads him to a gigantic house occupied by a giant. Inside, he requests food from the giant’s wife and she willingly provides it. However, just as he finishes eating, the giant returns after sensing another presence.
The giant declares that he can scent the blood of an Englishman and expresses his desire to grind the Englishman’s bones for bread. Nevertheless, the giant’s wife conceals Jack in a closet, and from there, Jack listens as the giant settles at his enormous table. The giant’s wife serves him a meal from a colossal bowl, and he drinks from his exceedingly large wine glass. Later on, the giant requests his hen that lays golden eggs. The giant observes as the hen lays numerous sizable golden eggs before falling asleep and snoring loudly. Jack seizes the opportunity to pilfer the hen, which lays substantial golden eggs. He nearly gets caught by the giant, who pursues him down the enormous beanstalk. Jack telephones his mother for a massive axe, and he successfully chops down the beanstalk, leading to the demise of the hefty giant. As a result, Jack and his mother live happily ever after with possession of the golden hen.
Comment
I believe that “Jack and the Beanstalk” is an excellent folktale. It is skillfully written and filled with excitement and vibrant imagery. However, a Freudian analysis reveals a deeper meaning – the story is truly about a boy’s journey into manhood. It represents the transition from adolescence to adulthood. The elderly individual in the tale, whether male or female in some versions, personifies desire and lust. Jack receives the beans, which symbolize his passage into manhood. The act of planting the beans can also be seen as sowing his own seeds, while the towering beanstalk represents his penis and loss of virginity. The ogre’s wife can be interpreted as Jack’s first love or sexual partner, while the ogre himself represents Jack’s internal desires and obstacles hindering his progress. The hen symbolizes Jack’s goal, which he eventually achieves, leading to a joyful life for both himself and his mother. Alternatively, the entire story could be viewed as a metaphor for sexual intercourse, with the hen representing orgasm and contributing to the “happy ending.” However, it is equally possible that “Jack and the Beanstalk” is simply an enchanting and delightful folktale.
