In addition, the author sees the important nature of creating a “secondary world” that is separate from the “primary world”. “Fantasy is a natural human activity” and helps as a remedy for the stresses that come from reality. Naturally, human being of any age have the desire to live or be in a better place either for happiness, peace, etc. “The human mind is capable of forming mental images of things not actually present”, such as secondary world, that has things that do not exist in the primary world. Once the reader has allowed themselves to be fully immersed in the fairy tale stories the “enchantment” will begin and the world will become real to the reader. “Enchantment” is fueled by the wish to create an escape from reality. However, it’s
...h is why fantasy is necessary for children in succeeding through a quest for sanity and morality. Through what is essentially known as escaping reality, children such as the character Max can further bring themselves to understand what they are feeling by unconsciously thinking about it in an imaginative way. Projecting certain personalities into characters in a way that accurately relates to Max is a prosperous way to develop a reassured idea in his life, between himself and the relationships around him. Thus, effortlessly reaching a sense of sanity and morality after all, “Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It’s a way of understanding it.” (Lloyd Alexander)
...n” is a great example of an old myth or tale reconstructed and adapted for a modern audience in a new medium. It is a progression on one hand in its use of modern language, setting, and style but it is also the product of the old myths in that it is essentially the same on the thematic level. In addition, the level of self-awareness on the part of the narrator and, by extension, the author marks it out as an illustration of the very notion of evolutionary changes of myths and fairy tales. Adaptation is the solution to the fairy tale, and fairy tales have been endlessly changing themselves throughout history and, by some strange transforming or enchanting power endlessly staying the same.”
Katelyn Matroni Professor Torrence English 102 February 12th, 2014. Meaning of Life According to Bruno Bettelheim, in Introduction: The Struggle for Meaning taken from The Uses of Enchantment, the use of fairy tales in a children’s life allows them to deal with their fears in a symbolic way. In order for a story to hold a child’s attention, it must “help him to develop his intellect and to clarify his emotions”(263). The use of fairy tales in Burn Your Maps, by Robyn Joy Leff, portrays the subtle but important influence of fairy tales on a child.
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.
In "The Uses of Enchantment" writer Bruno Bettelheim states that fairy tales allow children to "find themselves" and "[...] find the other with whom they will be able to live happily ever after" (162); I agree with this because fairy tales present lessons in simple forms to help the child grasp the concepts, present daily life issues and anxieties, and allows children to understand the difference between good and bad. Fairy tales expose life in a fundamental way in which children are able to see that life is not always rainbows and unicorns. Bettelheim argues that these stories address "basic human predicaments" such as aging, death, and the pursuit of love and happiness unlike modern stories that tend to avoid them. He also states that the lessons are straightforward so that the child may understand, but are also presented in a way so that the child may think about what is correct and what isn't. In addition to Bettelheim’s argument, I believe that fairy tales are essential for a child's mind to grow and so that they may become the hero in their own story.
The Authors of the Literary Fairy Tale When asked to name authors of fairy tales, most people now (if they
Fairy tales are considered as stories for children, to amuse them or some bed stories before they sleep. Sandman is one of those stories created by Scandinavian narratives and written by Christian Andersen, famous children’s literature writer. In the tale, Sandman comes at midnight and puts his sands into the eyes of the children and makes them sleep. While they sleep, with his umbrella he shows them either good or bad dreams. E.T.A Hoffman uses the elements of the fairy tale and rewrites it as a gothic-horror story. Hoffman’s Sandman is also comes at midnight and puts sand to the eyes of people, but not for the dreams but to take their eyes and feed them to his children. Nail Gaiman’s version has gothic elements but also it still carries the soul of the fairy tale version. He uses the Sandman as a protagonist in his story but the events occurs in dark and morbid places.
Faris, Wendy B. Ordinary Enchantments: Magical Realism and the Remystification of Narrative. Nashville: Vanderbilt UP, 2004. 24 Sept. 2012. Web. 15 Mar. 2014. 21
...im, Bruno, The Use of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales (London: Penguin, 1975).
"Once upon a time," the most used introduction phrase in common fairy tales used to start an adventure. These adventures have been around for years. The importance of some tales might be more significant than others, also based on culture. My goal for this paper is to educate my readers with the importance of fairy tales, especially for younger children. Fairy tales have been around for centuries from generations to generations. Different cultures, such as the Japanese and Western, have also expressed them differently. All these fairly tales teach children different aspects of life, which make these tales so important.
Individuals often use stories to pass down knowledge to future generations. Stories such as fairy tales are easily transferable and enjoyable to different age groups. One of the important uses of fairytales is that fairytales have the capacity teach life lesson without the physical experience. Traditionally stories exemplify cultural traditions or norms transmitting social knowledge. Children’s stories and fairytales are used primarily as a way to adapt children into the culture, and making some hard to explain concept obtainable to a younger minds understanding. However, it is important to train young minds to critical think and question certain fairy tale attributes general characterized by gender roles. Gender roles in fairy tales are formulated by characteristics’ that individuals find socially acceptable within a culture. There are many issues including; identity, perception, and self-concept
Bettelheim, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales. New York: Vintage, 2010. Print.
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.
Bettelheim, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment: the Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales. London: Thames and Hudson, 1976. Print.
Having a hero who has to face challenges and conquer evil and a wicked villain, helps a child to educate himself and understand how to cope with real life situations that they will come across in their own lives, because every character in the fairytales is the child. To stimulate morals in children it is important that they have stories narrated to them, in order to make them aware of the consequences of their actions, such as