Fairy Tales
Fairy Tales: The Significance and Benefits of Century Old StoriesSpeakers: G-Gloria: M---Michelle (11 years old)Relationship between Gloria and Michelle: first cousinsG: When was the first time you heard a fairy tale?M: A fairy tale...as in Cinderella or Snow White?M: I think the first time that I heard a fairy tale was when my mother read the story of Cinderella to me. G: How old were you and what was the situation?M: I was...(pauses) maybe around three or four years old. And she read it to me before I went to bed. Yeah, I remember because I liked it so much that I asked her to read it to me every night.G: Has anyone else ever read a fairy tale story to you when you were younger?M: Well...when I was in preschool, we had storytelling every afternoon and we made a circle and my teacher read Snow White and Sleeping Beauty and Jack and the Beanstalk and...(Excerpt from an interview on fairy tales conducted on May 27th 2004) Fairy tales, a popular genre of children's literature, have existed and transformed for several centuries. Known for its "power" to create a world full of magic and enchanted places, fairy tales have been passed down from generations and throughout many different countries (
There are many aspects of a fairy tale but the most recognized characteristic is seen in the first few words at the beginning and end of several well-known tales (Sale 37). Essentially, they were initially recognized as adult narratives. As Sale states "a great many people imagine the end of a fairy tale [to be] optimistic and even happy" (37). Death and overall violence can be observed in several well-known fairy tales. Nidds and McGerald conclude, "children experience with Red Riding Hood the fear, the relief, and the final delight, all in a secure embrace of a loving adult" (13). The following table illustrates a common formula in a few eminent fairy tales: Fairy tale Opening lines Closing lines Beauty and the Beast: Once upon a time, there was a young prince. The interviewee's mother often read the tale of Cinderella to her at the tender age of three. According to Bettelheim, tales of witches and giants help children cope with fears and anxieties, which ultimately prepares them to face the realities of the "real" world (45). Thus, despite the unpleasant events and violent actions that may occur in the tale, readers anticipate a "happy ending". This two-fold argument is highly persuasive however it overlooks significant as well as "positive" aspects of fairy tales. Fairy Tales and After: From Snow White to E. Although it is unknown as to the specific dates this transformation from oral to written tradition occurred, the "ancientness" of fairy tales exemplifies a rich history. Belle and Beast lived happily ever after.
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Acceptance Essays
