Fairy Story

1606 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Symbolism as a literary tool essay

Fantasy: Just Another World

A fairy story. although it seems straightforward in definition, it is not as simple as it sounds. It is a sophisticated tale of unreal fairies living in a fantasy world, of which the creation requires several important ingredients. In ¡§On Fairy-Stories,¡¨ J. R. R. Tolkien assumes the role of a cook and makes the ¡§Soup¡¨ ¡V a fairy story. To achieve the concept of fantasy, the author creates the Secondary World for readers to enter. The Secondary World is an alternate reality created in the mind that corresponds with the laws made by the creator. Nevertheless, Tolkien underscores the point of following ¡§the desires of body and heart¡¨ in fantastic creation (113). This conveys that the author¡¦s free-will to create a separate world requires him to become a follower under his own world. In The Silmarillion, Tolkien creates a fantasy world called ¡§Arda¡¨ and lets the readers to enter it. Through this fantasy world, Tolkien frees the reader from domination of the Primary World, which represents reality; however, he produces inner consistency of reality that serves as a bridge between the reader and the Secondary World. Tolkien explains that inner consistency of reality is an image or a rearrangement of images that originated from and is parallel to the actual arrangement of images in the Primary World. In The Silmarillion, Tolkien creates a fantasy world that contains elements of both good and evil, and shows that Secondary Belief is needed to accept this world.

With the utilization of Valar, Tolkien creates a fantasy that departs from the Primary World; however, there still lies a concept of dualism ¡V the existence of conflicting forces of good and evil. In ¡§On Fairy Stories,¡¨ Tolkien states that ¡§fantasy, of course, starts with an advantage: arresting strangeness¡¨ (139). Following this notion, The Silmarillion begins with themes of music sung in unison and harmony by the Valar, also known as the gods (3). This signifies the peace and good of the fantasy world created by Tolkien; this element of good in the Secondary World is derived from the real world. However, it is apparent that peace and good are not omnipresent in reality. Tolkien immediately introduces an element of evil that clashes with harmonious sounds of peace. For example, Melkor, a Vala with the greatest gifts of power and knowledge, exploits his power wrongfully.

Show More
Related

  • Comparing Good and Evil in Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

    2386 Words  | 5 Pages

    Imagine yourself in a pre-industrial world full of mystery and magic. Imagine a world full of monsters, demons, and danger, as well as a world full of friends, fairies, good wizards, and adventure. In doing so you have just taken your first step onto a vast world created by author and scholar John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. Tolkien became fascinated by language at an early age during his schooling, in particularly, the languages of Northern Europe, both ancient and modern. This affinity for language did not only lead to his profession, but also his private hobby, the invention of languages. His broad knowledge eventually led to the development of his opinions about Myth and the importance of stories. All these various perspectives: language, the heroic tradition, and Myth, as well as deeply-held beliefs in Catholic Christianity work together in all of his works. The main elements of Tolkien’s works are Good versus Evil, characters of Christian and anti-Christian origin, and the power of imagination.

    Read More

  • Classic Fairy Tales: Annotated Bibliography

    1399 Words  | 3 Pages

    In his evaluation of Little Red Riding Hood, Bill Delaney states, “In analyzing a story . . . it is often the most incongruous element that can be the most revealing.” To Delaney, the most revealing element in Little Red Riding Hood is the protagonist’s scarlet cloak. Delaney wonders how a peasant girl could own such a luxurious item. First, he speculates that a “Lady Bountiful” gave her the cloak, which had belonged to her daughter. Later, however, Delaney suggests that the cloak is merely symbolic, perhaps representing a fantasy world in which she lives.

    Read More

  • Essay On Good And Evil In Beowulf

    885 Words  | 2 Pages

    As a result of the missions of good and evil forces is completely divergent to one another, there is continuously a battle stuck between the two. This equilibrium of good and evil rise and fall over time is never stable. The effects of good and evil are felt transversely all the sections of the world. The classic Beowulf makes an effort to illustrate both sides of these cultures of good and evil. It also conveys the eternal battle between the two. “Grendel, a monster who lives at the bottom of a nearby mere, is provoked by the singing and celebrating of Hrothgar's followers” (http://csis.pace.edu/grendel/projf981e/story.html). Beowulf, prince of the Geats, hears about “Hrothgar's troubles, gathers fourteen of the bravest Geat warriors, and sets sail from his home in southern Sweden” (http://csis.pace.edu/grendel/projf981e/story.html). In Beowulf, the author uses light and darkness to accentuate good and evil in the world.

    Read More

  • J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings

    1947 Words  | 4 Pages

    It is a struggle of good and evil that begins with a cursed gift of a powerful ring, the One Ring, that leads one wise hobbit on the most important journey of his life-time thus far, for he isn't only fighting for his own soul that is threatened to be claimed by the very ring he is given, but those of all of his people. The ring is sought after by its very creator Sauron the all powerful sorcerer, and Dark Lord of the middle-earth to aid in his evil deeds.

    Read More

  • The Little Mermaid: Hans Christian Andersen vs Walt Disney

    2433 Words  | 5 Pages

    Simple narrative typically of folk origin dealing with supernatural beings. Fairy tales may be written or told for the amusement of children or may have a more sophisticated narrative containing supernatural or obviously improbable events, scenes, and personages and often having a whimsical, satirical, or moralistic character. The term embraces popular folktales such as “Cinderella” and “Puss in Boots,” as well as art fairy tales of late...

    Read More

  • J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings

    2384 Words  | 5 Pages

    While it is certainly an exciting and well written work of fantasy, which cannot help but grip the imagination, all this would be for naught except for the poignancy of the themes which serve as its backbone. Foremost of these is Tolkien’s determination to show the natural world as the measure of all things. His world revolves around nature, and his character’s affinity to it determines their place in Middle-Earth.

    Read More

  • Fairy Legends Essay

    2456 Words  | 5 Pages

    Throughout history people have always been telling stories, whether it is how some ones day went or something strange they saw. One place that has a particularly strong connection with storytelling is Ireland. Telling stories in Ireland was usually for entertainment told at a bar or by the fire in a friend’s home to hear what someone else saw or experienced leaving one with new knowledge. Fairy- legends were stories that were told quite often in conversational type settings telling people something they had heard of experienced about the fairies. The people of Ireland used to strongly believe in the fairies during the nineteenth century. Fairies are not human but look somewhat similar to us except that are usually a lot paler. They live their

    Read More

  • Fairy Tales Analysis

    1129 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fairy tales have been read to children for many years by parents hoping these tales of heroines and heroes would provide a fun and interesting way to teach moral and values. Fairy tales provide children with a fun and entertaining way to deal with strangers. Children learn that when you don’t follow the rule and talk to mysterious strangers you’re put into situation that can cause pain or suffering to others.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Fairytales

    1612 Words  | 4 Pages

    I chose to research the genre of fairytales because the genre retold by Grimm’s caught my attention. Fairytales in modern day usually have a happy ending after the good versus evil concept. Rapunzel specifically, isn’t told in its original form.Theres much more darkness and even though happily ever after is in play, not all fairytales end that way. Fairytales have much more depth than people realize in modern day. It portrays the real struggles we face growing up. In Rapunzel, her mother gave her away and she was raised by an enchantress who locked her away. This very much explains child abandonment or a child that has been given up for adoption and the things they face growing up.Theres a connection between these fairytales and real life situations .Fairytales have a way of expressing real life situations in a way that uses a few elements that help tell the story in a way children can understand. Some of the elements include: magic, morals, royalty and love.

    Read More

  • Good and Evil Protrayed in Tolkien´s The Lord of the Rings

    932 Words  | 2 Pages

    One of the ways Tolkien’s worldview is scene in his writing is in the total freedom of choice each character enjoys. Contrary to the Victorian era’s obsession with depicting good and evil two dimensionally, Tolkien imbues his characters with three-dimensional properties, allowing for all of his characters to choose. At a council meeting Elrond states “Nothing is evil in the beginning” (The Fellowship of the Ring 351). This belief is fund...

    Read More

  • Fairytale Essay

    883 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fairytale is one of the intricate genres in literary history. It is impossible to say exactly when the first fairytale was created. They have been in practice since the beginning of time. The famous scholar Jack Zipes agreed that evolution of fairytales could not be determined. In his book The Irresistible Fairytales, he says: “It is impossible to trace the historical origins and evolution of fairytales to a particular time and place; we do know that humans began telling tales as soon as they developed the capacity of speech. They may have even used sign language before speech originated to communicate vital information for adapting to their environment”

    Read More

  • Heroism, Magic and Retribution in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit

    2214 Words  | 5 Pages

    A fantasy is an imaginary world where all things imaginable can be brought to life. J.R.R Tolkien portrayed fantasy through his use of skilled craftsmanship and a vivid imagination, which was presented in each piece of literature he wrote. In Tolkien's two stories The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings we see the theme of fantasy brought to life through three essential elements, heroism, magic and retribution. Heroism is shown through the character's courage and bravery in situations where conflict arises and this enables them to be seen in a new light. Magic is a form of extraordinary power seemingly through a supernatural force; it is used in a combination of combat and mystical items to aid the companions on their journey. Retribution is paid to the evil forces for the wrongs society had to endure while they were allowed to dominate. This system allows opportunity for physical and mental development in the characters and the aspect of fantasy to come to life.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Influence Of Fairy Tales On Children

    2515 Words  | 6 Pages

    Normally, when one was a child, our parents would tell us fairy tales as bed time stories, or to simply entertain us. This is a worldwide tradition in which every parent tells their child the stories they were told when they were little, or new stories. There are infinite stories to be told as well as infinite stories that have already been written or told. The stories told by our parents have influenced us and still influence us in our beliefs and values today. Throughout our childhood, we have been told many stories that teach us to be brave and courageous, respect others, love ourselves and others, to obey orders, and even to help and

    Read More

  • A Cinderella Story

    1279 Words  | 3 Pages

    When examining adaptations of fairytales you must look at the original source. This can be a very difficult task because with fairytales we never really know where the original came from. I will base my paper on the theory that the original tale of Cinderella comes from the Grimm Brothers version of Ashputtle. In comparison we will examine two movies. First there is the Disney version Cinderella. Secondly we will look at the movie 'Ever After'.

    Read More

  • Folk Tales

    639 Words  | 2 Pages

    When you where a kid did your parents ever tell you stories about your culture or about your family’s values? Chances are they where telling you a folk tale. Folk tales are stories passed down usually by word of mouth but often they are written down. Folk tales teach a valuable life lesson while entertaining the reader or in some cases the listener. This essay will give examples of three folk tales and go into depth on how they teach lessons and still remain entertaining for children and even adults.

    Read More

More about Fairy Story

Open Document