# Iron John explained — Household Tales

> Chapter companion for Household Tales by Jacob Grimm.

## What happens

A king's son accidentally releases a wild man named Iron John from a forest well. Iron John takes the boy into his care but sets him three trials by a golden well, which the boy fails due to his golden hair falling in. Banished, the boy goes to a city and works as a gardener's assistant. He later calls upon Iron John for help in battle and at a festival, where he catches three golden apples thrown by the princess. His identity is revealed by his golden hair, and he marries the princess. Iron John is freed from his enchantment and gives the couple his treasures.

## Themes in this chapter

### Transformation and Redemption

Iron John is freed from his enchantment through the youth's actions, and the youth rises from a gardener's boy to a prince.

### Promises and Their Consequences

The youth fails the trials of the golden well, leading to his banishment, but later fulfills his destiny.

### Social Class and Marriage

The youth, initially a lowly gardener's assistant, marries the princess after proving his worth.

## Character check-ins

### the youth

The king's son who releases Iron John, fails the trials by the golden well, and later wins the princess's hand.

### the princess

The king's daughter who throws the golden apples and recognizes the youth by his golden hair.

### the king

The father of the princess who proclaims the feast and orders the pursuit of the mysterious knight.

### the servant

The cook who takes the youth into service at the palace.

## Key lines

> I am Iron John, and was by enchantment a wild man, but thou hast set me free; all the treasures which I possess, shall be thy property.

Iron John reveals his true identity and grants the youth his wealth.

_Climactic revelation and reward._

> Thou hast not stood the trial, and canst stay here no longer. Go forth into the world, there thou wilt learn what poverty is.

The youth is banished for failing to keep the well pure.

_Consequence of failing the trials._

> If thou fallest into any difficulty, come to the forest and cry, 'Iron John,' and then I will come and help thee.

Iron John promises to aid the youth if called.

_Establishing the helper relationship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/household_tales_se/chapters/iron-john
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/household_tales_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/household_tales_se/chapters