The King of the Golden River: Or, The Black Brothers, a Legend of Syria: Analysis of Major Characters
"The King of the Golden River: Or, The Black Brothers, a Legend of Syria" presents a tale centered around three brothers and the contrasting virtues and vices that define their fates. Gluck, the protagonist, exemplifies kindness and charity, often subjected to the harsh treatment of his brothers, Schwartz and Hans, known as the Black Brothers. While Gluck's generosity earns him the favor of the King of the Golden River, who ultimately guides him to transform a river into gold, his brothers embody selfishness and cruelty, leading to their downfall as they are turned into black stones.
The narrative illustrates themes of moral integrity versus avarice, showing how Gluck’s compassionate actions, such as sharing with the needy, align him with divine assistance. In contrast, Schwartz and Hans’s exploitative behavior and lack of charity culminate in their demise. The enigmatic South-West Wind, who punishes the brothers for their mistreatment of Gluck, serves as a key figure that reinforces the story’s moral lessons. Overall, this legend underscores the importance of kindness and the consequences of greed, offering a rich tapestry of character contrasts that drive the plot forward.
The King of the Golden River: Or, The Black Brothers, a Legend of Syria: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: John Ruskin
First published: 1851
Genre: Novel
Locale: Stiria
Plot: Adventure
Time: The legendary past
Gluck, a good youth who, with his two brothers, owns and farms Treasure Valley in the ancient kingdom of Stiria. His brothers make Gluck work hard at the worst tasks but give him nothing. After his brothers fail to change the Golden River into gold, he tries. He succeeds because he is kind; he earns the help of the King of the Golden River, who had in turn tested each brother's mercy toward a thirsty child, an old man, and a dog. Only Gluck shared his water. All of his life, Gluck proves that he is charitable and thoughtful, even after he becomes a rich man.
Schwartz and Hans, nicknamed the Black Brothers. They are stingy and mean, mistreating Gluck, killing anything that brings in no money, cheating their servants, and giving nothing to charity although they are very rich. Both the brothers, because they are evil men, fail to turn the Golden River into gold and are themselves metamorphosed into black stones.
The South-West Wind, a strange little old man befriended by Gluck when he appears at the brothers'house. Gluck gives the man shelter and offers him his own meager portion of food. When Hans and Schwartz try to throw the little man out of the house, he causes a storm to ruin the entire valley and permits no more rain to fall, so that the valley becomes a wasteland.
The King of the Golden River, who is imprisoned in a gold mug until released by Gluck. He tells Gluck how to turn the Golden River into gold by dropping holy water into it. When Gluck succeeds, the river irrigates Treasure Valley for him, making it fertile and a source of wealth.