The Meaning of Disfigurement in Wilhelm Hauff’s Dwarf Nose

Wilhelm Hauff wrote three collections of fairytales that are still widely read in Germany. One of his most popular tales is Dwarf Nose, available in three English translations since 1960. It tells of a boy who is turned into a squirrel for seven years, then regains human form as a dwarf with a long nose before finally achieving normal adult proportions. The story includes details that suggest a sexual interpretation.