[Rumpelstilzchen on the couch--an ensemble of shame, identity and father themes]

The fairy-tale "Rumpelstiltsken" is investigated as to its hidden meaning. A method, already described in the literature, is applied which allows conclusions about the hidden meaning to be drawn on the basis of the fairy-tale's place and handling with the history of literature. The hidden meaning found for "Rumpelstiltsken" lies in the question as to how individuation is possible in a symbiotic mother-child relationship. The answer is given in the fairy-tale in that a third person is introduced, who is, however, not involved in the symbiosis. A metapsychological concept of shame is then formulated on the basis of this understanding of "Rumpelstiltsken".