Interpretation of Fairytales:
A Child’s View
By Amberlie Arave
When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.”
― Albert Einstein
Fairy tales were originally intended, among other things, to teach moral and life guiding lessons to young people, while passing time. Folk tales and legends, and anthologies like the Grimm and Anderson’s fairytale books, were compiled as a means of keeping oral traditions alive, and often came from working women who recited these stories as means of keeping awake while working long, monotonous hours.
However, in the current time, fairy tales are for children only. In particular, the princess focused tales are popular, and are the most altered from their original forms. Often, themes such as good vs. bad, male vs. female and beautiful vs. ugly are exemplified, whereas the original stories focused more on the journey, and moral lessons.
Fairy tales often effect relationships between children, and between children and surrounding adults. Many psychologists say that the stories read now
With this being said, it is undeniable that reading to children is vital for their learning and development, especially early on. Reading can improve vocabulary, improve communication, and will often lead to readers later in life.
“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”
― G.K. Chesterton
The necessity of literature is not the issue, but people need to be careful what they choose to read, because often the wrong stereotypes and themes are ingrained into their memories and can affect children permanently. As I tried to explain to a friend of mine, it isn’t the absorption of these stories that is the problem, but the lack of communication and explanation, via conversation and critical thinking.
Here are some other resources by students and scholars with some valid points:
https://prezi.com/jyk-so9xuvop/fairy-tales-and-their-effects-on-children/
http://hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/hohonu/documents/Vol07x07HappilyEverAfter.pdf
http://www.mccarter.org/education/secretinthewings/page16.htm
http://www.purdue.edu/uns/html4ever/031111.Grauerholz.tales.html
http://skemman.is/en/stream/get/1946/17819/41602/1/BAessay.Helga.Benediktsdottir.pdf
