The Brothers Grimm lived during a time of sweeping social and political change: from the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars to the Vormärz era and the failed Revolution of 1848.

Their scientific and literary work was marked by the quest for national identity and cultural self-determination, as demanded by many intellectuals of Romanticism.

As members of the "Göttingen Seven," they protested the repeal of the constitution in the Kingdom of Hanover, demonstrating their political stance.

Censorship, loss of positions, and repressions made their work harder, but also reinforced their desire to preserve German culture and language.

The need to secure traditions and values is reflected both in their linguistics and their fairy tale collection.