This article explores the role of spatial symbolism and narrative geography in the classic Grimm fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. By examining key locations such as the forest, the gingerbread house, the oven, and the journey home, the study reveals how place functions as more than mere setting—it shapes character development, drives plot progression, and reflects deep psychological and cultural meanings. Drawing on literary, psychoanalytic, and folkloric frameworks, the analysis demonstrates how these toponyms act as metaphors for fear, growth, temptation, and transformation. Ultimately, the tale’s geography becomes a symbolic map of the children’s emotional and moral journey from abandonment to empowerment, offering insights into the enduring power of place in fairy-tale storytelling.

Toponyms, Hansel and Gretel, spatial symbolism

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