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Post by Chris on Nov 18, 2006 23:25:43 GMT -5
I've never been able to put my finger on what a fairy tale actually is. I've read a couple of them, and I can tell that there's something that sets them apart as fairy tales, but for the life of me I have no idea what it is that does. I'd like some opinions and sources about what constitutes a fairy tale, and a list of the fairy tales you've read before, if it's not too much trouble. Thanks in advance.
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Post by Donald Duck on Nov 21, 2006 13:10:35 GMT -5
To me a fairy tale is something that makes the imagination run wild and at the same time warms yer heart. Something that a parent reads to their child to get them to sleep. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairytale |
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Post by Chris on Nov 21, 2006 19:27:20 GMT -5
That's a nice image. There's something fundamentally reassuring about parents reading stories to their children.
So, do you know of any fairy tales?
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Post by Donald Duck on Nov 26, 2006 16:58:08 GMT -5
All I remember is the ones my ma would make up.
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Post by Chris on Nov 26, 2006 22:37:28 GMT -5
Wonderful. Feel free to share the ones you remember if you wanna.
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Post by Denithar on Nov 27, 2006 10:36:53 GMT -5
When I think of fairy tale I think of stories like Peter Pan, Goldilocks, and The Goblin Market. A fairy tale is not a tragedy. The heroes do not have the hamartia important to more serious fantasy. And the story ends happily. Like the Captain said, these are stories for kids. However, I know some would lump tales like LotR with fairy tales, and I can only say that I don't, whether there is good reason to or not.
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Post by Chris on Nov 28, 2006 12:11:28 GMT -5
The only reason I can think of for Lord of the Rings not to be considered a fairy tale is that Lord of the Rings is obvious for older, mature reasons. Like Captain said, fairy tales are for children (young children, to be specific), and the complexity and depth of stories like Lord of the Rings make it clear that young children aren't its main audience.
If that is the case, then could it be said that fairy tales are, more often than not, simple and superficial plotwise?
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Post by Angie on Nov 28, 2006 18:23:27 GMT -5
The Da Vinci Code, though it has been proven inaccurate in many places, makes me wonder whether fairy tales have messages or stories hidden beneath the innocence and simplicity.
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Post by Chris on Nov 29, 2006 11:19:41 GMT -5
I do believe that some of the old fairy tales were metaphorical representations of real people and events.
Any other genre-defining details?
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Post by Emily on Nov 29, 2006 11:39:10 GMT -5
Umm well I once reading an article a couple of years ago about how wrong fairy tales were. They have none of the values that modern day life has - everyone has a happy ending, or a justice filled ending - and that it wouldn't prepare children for reality.
I remember when I was a lot younger, pouring over the pictures and stories of just about every fairy tale and fable known to the english language. Well perhaps not that many, but I loved them.
I think lots and lots of Fairy Tales have hidden morals behind them, but so many of them are based on ancient folklore - they were just originally made for entertainment.
And lots have a hidden dark side to them, but lots have been twisted and altered, so suitable for children. Like a non-musical lullaby.
Sorry I've gone on so much...
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Post by Chris on Nov 29, 2006 11:55:43 GMT -5
No, that's wonderful! That's just what I want.
So what you're saying is that while sometimes there's a moral to the story, like Aesop's fables, most of them are just for fun?
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