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About Me
- Marta Magellan
- I write books for children, mainly on nonfiction topics, but also adaptations of folklore. I worked as a Professor of English, Creative Writing, Survey of Children's Literature, Issues in Literature and Culture, and World Literature. I also write an occasional newspaper or magazine piece (usually on nature or travel) as well as books for children.
just trying to figure out how does this thing work...
ReplyDeleteI feel I have a greater understanding of the origins of fairy tales after our class discussion today. When reading the stories prior to class, I was still looking at them in a "Disney" point of view and in that context it concealed a lot of what was actually going on.
ReplyDeleteOne surprise today was that the stories were actually originally intended for an older crowd and not written for children, which makes perfect sense when you read these adaptations of the stories. However I grew up very "Disney" and have always viewed them as children's tales. Although, with the new light that was shed on the topic today it's very clear these tales were not intended for children. When I read Little Red Riding Hood, I was shocked she didn't survive but when I found out in class that it was a great play on symbolism and the 'wolf' actually raped and killed her, I thought to myself 'gees, I'd rather be eaten by an actual wolf!'
Another thing I didn't pick up on while reading the stories was all the symbolism. I guess the most shocking aspect is that these stories are more complex then I imagined. Not complex in the syntax or language but certainly a child would not have picked up on the sexual content in the stories.
Another thing that is probably the most shocking (the more I think about it the more shocking things I come up with) is how the parents can be so cruel to their children. Maybe the stories reflect on the times but I don't care how rough things get, to give up, eat and send your child away is unbelievable.
I've definitely had a rude awakening to fairy tales, but I understand their standing power because the topic is truly fascinating.
Wow! I have read these stories tons of times and never had I looked past the "fairy tale" part. I can honestly say that today's class was a real eye-opener for me. Sex, incest, abandonment... I felt like a little child that had just been yanked out of little child world into the roughness of reality! Gotta say, I will probably never be able to read a fairy tale as just that, a fairy tale! Nonetheless, this was quite interesting for me, makes total sense and as odd as it may sound, I rather enjoyed looking at these old classic stories in this new light!
ReplyDeleteWell, today class was just “a box of surprises”. We were supposed to discuss about those fairy tales that we should have read this week, and we almost know by heart. However, a discussion that I expected to be just interesting became quite amazing! I was so impressed every time Prof Magellan presented a new point, for I had read these stories at least 5 times in my whole life, and I hadn’t been able to see far beyond my own nose. Fairy tales were not created to satisfy children, as they were to transmit messages about real life problems to adults: sexual awakening in Sleeping Beauty of the Woods, cannibalism in Hansel y Gretel, parent’s overprotection in Rapunzel and so on. I was so shocked while we were analyzing these points, for I realized how naive I have been when reading these stories sometime ago. Nevertheless, I’m quite excited now, since I have clues to seek for the more profound messages they carry, all the symbolism they contain, and the common elements they share with real life even nowadays. To conclude, Prof Magellan said that these were “children stories” about growing up, and that is probably one of the most valuable ideas I’ve gotten from the class today, and it (together with those previous elements) will absolutely change my understanding of fairy tales for the rest of mi life.
ReplyDeleteAs a child, I loved watching Disney's Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. I always took the fairy tales at face value. However, out discussion on the origins of the fairy tales amazed me. If it weren't for this class, I wouldn't have ever learned about the origins of these seemingly simple stories. Its amazing how they originally are about real life problems,such as children separating from their families. I especially enjoyed learning about the symbols that are very rampant in fairy tales. The kiss being a symbol for sexual awakening, and the deep dark woods symbolizes experience and the real world. The characters, especially the main protagonists, in the stories are most intriguing. I never realized that they go through the same basic trials. Being forced out of the house by their mothers, going in the deep dark woods, and eventually either returning to their original home or going to live with their prince. However, there's an exception with Rapunzel. She was still basically separated from the home, but instead of going to the deep dark woods, she is locked in a tower by her mother. It is spectacular and exciting to learn about the true origins of these fairy tales I loved when I was a child. It's only more fascinating to know that they weren't really meant for children. In the end, there's more to fairy tales than meets the eye.
ReplyDeleteWell, it seems that I'll be breaking the trend here with my own thoughts. Unlike the writers of the previous entries, I wasn't that shocked at the origins of the fairy tales we all know and love. A combination of my own reading and prior instruction in other English and literature courses prepared me well enough.
ReplyDeleteWhat I did find especially interesting was the symbolism involved, and thinking about it, it all makes sense. There's a reason these stories have been around forever, after all. The symbolism and deeper meaning behind these fantastic stories makes them timeless, and I find that I enjoy the stories more now than I did as a child because I can appreciate their depth.
All of this creates the rather interesting effect that as we grow up, so do the stories. Even the modern, Disneyfied versions (which mostly just gloss over the more grim aspects (pun intended) of the original stories) retain the relevant themes if you know how to look. They are still appropriate for children because children don't know how to look, which is a good thing because if kids understood that "Little Red Riding Hood" was a rape/murder story, well... that would cause problems wouldn't it? It's a sort of built-in defense mechanism: by the time we can understand it, we can handle it without being scarred for life.
P.S. While I have everyone's ear in a more informal setting than the classroom, I simply cannot let the opportunity pass to recommend "No Rest for the Wicked," a well-written and drawn free webcomic that mixes, combines, and twists various fairy tales into a surprisingly coherent plot. Be warned though: This is no Shrek-esque magical mish-mash. There's plenty of light-hearted comedy, but its definitely based on the old Charles Perrault/Grimm brothers tales. The Hansel and Gretel storyline in particular is just... *shudder*
url: http://www.forthewicked.net/
My favorite books, stories, and tales are ones that involve symbolism. Trying to discover and/or learn about the true meaning behind the obvious plots is something I have always found fascinating and intriguing. As you can imagine, Friday`s lecture definitely grabbed my attention. I was first shocked, as I`m sure everyone else was, to learn that the stories that I so loved as a child were not written for the young mind. However, as I further thought about the lecture, I became aware of the transformation that took place between the original intent and what these stories have become. Whether it was Walt Disney, other writers, or simply time that made these tales evolve to their pure form, masking the true meanings and replacing them with happy endings, pureness, and underdogs who rose to the occasion was genius.
ReplyDeleteI must add that I came out of class almost depressed after learning that the stories I loved as a child, were not all that innocent. I felt most disturbed by “Little Red Riding-hood” as I realized that this cautionary tale was really about a rape and death of a child. In addition, neglect and abuse by the mothers was a theme I found repeated. There was never a sign of remorse or even love for the child. The other story that impacted me as well was “The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods.” With Disney `s version in mind, I was surprised to have kept on reading past the part of the princess` “kiss.” To find out that the prince had a mother of ogre descent was at first appealing, but later became very eerie as all began to unfold in the acts and intention of sex and cannibalism.
After learning about these “new” dark versions, I still hold onto and want to go back to my favorites that I learned to love through Disney. In my opinion, I don’t think any young child, or anyone for that matter would find comfort in going to bed after hearing or reading these original tales as bedtime stories.
I feel guilty now for revealing some of these darker aspects of the fairy tales. But like Elizabeth Sanchez said, storytellers throughout the ages have made the stories quite happy for children, and the euphemisms and symbols as Gregory Washko said, keep the children from seeing meanings past the surface (at least until they are old enough to withstand the reality behind them). All your comments were fun to read. I am interested in looking into the suggestion from Gregory (although the *shudder* thing made me shudder).
ReplyDeleteEven though I was not able to attend class last friday, I read all of the fairy tales, so that I would not fall behind. I was able to get the notes down from another student on what friday's lecture was about. After learning about the origins of these fairy tales my eyes widened.
ReplyDeleteIn relation to many others, I always wanted Cinderella, Snow White or Little Red Riding hood read to me before I went to bed every night. The happy endings would sweep away any bad dreams that I could of had. However, after analyzing and observing the origins of these fairy tales, I developed a different perspective towards my favorite stories of all time. It indeed puts me in a perpetual mindset, thinking and contemplating the original makers purpose on writing these fairy tales of fantasy.
Even though my outlook on "fairy tales" has changed drastically, I do agree with Elizabeth Sanchez on the fact that modifying these "fairy tales" and changing their true meanings into happy endings was the most brilliant beyond brilliant idea.
In theory, these fairy tales due have a main purpose in today's society, which is why their real form of emphasis was altered. These stories have a major effect on symbolism. Each story resembles an outcome and if one really takes a close look at the basic plot, each story symbolizes the same thing, yet each message is produced using a different introduction to lead to the climax and then to the resolution. Also, elementary school teachers, as well as pre-school teachers, use these fairy tales to teach young children that even if a tragedy might occur, a happy ending is always likely to develop. I believe that since we are being exposed to the true origins of these fairy tales at a later time in our life does not mean we need to spoil other children's view and perspective on these fairy tales. Since we were able to enjoy their happy endings we should allow others to enjoy them as well. The later generations will eventually be unveiled to the history of these fantasies in years to come.
As one can see, I have developed two different reactions to the main origins of these fairy tales. Learning about the true meaning of these stories really does frightened me. The fact that these fairy tales were never intended for a young child to read is appalling. However, if an individual does look at this situation in a more positive way, then the realistic and scholastic perspective shines.
After our discussion on fairy tales on class, I was shocked; at the same time, I was glad to see it from a different perspective. It's not the point of view I would like to see it all the time but it was interesting. When I was 6, my grandma told me the story of Little Red Riding Hood. Her story was so pretty, good people lived happily ever after and villains were out of the story forever. When I read Perrault's version, I felt so disappointed. I couldn't believe that the wolf raped and ate the little girl. I had to call my grandma and asked her if she knew about this. She started laughing and said: "if I would have told you the true story when you were 6, you would have been traumatized for the rest of your life. When I read a fairy tale, I'll read it trying to find all the symbolisms behind it but I'll always enjoy it better reading it as superficial as a kid.
ReplyDeleteit was interesting to see that almost every story thatinvolved a young woman needed to be saved by a man had som kind of hidden context of her awakening sexual desire;I never looked that deeply into it. But I can see how that can be true. I guess I'd rather be lost in the innocence the story though, and not look deeper, just so I wouldn't spoil the view that I saw it as when I was younger. The one that especially bothered me was Rapunzel, where it said that he came to see her many times and but never tried to save her. I would have never thought about it as in he wanted his cake and to eat it too; which is how I saw it but not in so many words. but, i did appreciate the fact that they both did grow up after having to going through some type of pain trials. Though i would love to stay naive to every fairytale I grew up reading as a child I do appreciate all of the hidden meanings in all of them just the same, when I read them now.
ReplyDeleteI, like most, rely on the Disney versions of these fairy tales in order to learn about them. After the lecture on fairy tales in class it was a rude and enlightening experience. Turns out these tales were not intended for children at all, and were meant for just the opposite, adults. One of the ones that stuck to me the most was the story of Little Red and how seduction of the wolf leads to her being "eaten," and in Snow White, learning how the mirror in the original story was actually the father, deeming Snow White as the "fairest of them all."
ReplyDeleteThe mastery of story telling in these tales is evident. Despite the fact that they are actually dark, and sometimes things do not end so nicely for the child they follow, there is no denying that they are highly brimming with lessons, symbols, and themes, that are embedded within their sometimes simple language.
I do not feel crushed, learning about the true nature behind these beloved fairy tales, instead I see them as wonder works of literature, that although cannot be completely enjoyed by young children, they can be analyzed and appreciated just the same, even though a dark light is cast on them.
I think it's interesting that Brooke used both the words "dark" and "enlightening" to describe the tales, and although it seems contradictory, I know exactly what you are getting at. The tales themselves are dark, human nature's grim side not at all sugar-coated, but their purpose is to enlighten -- even Red Riding Hood in its awful (original) ending.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't in class for this discussion but I did read other blogger's comments and learned quite a bit. As in the truth about Little Red Riding-hood, one word... CREEPY. It's a good thing that people throughout the years have been able to make understanding for children. What I like about this most is that as a child I grew up loving these stories and as an adult I have grown to love it more from a grown ups point of view. All these stories were so well written and the symbolism is great. My only question is... were these author's under the influence when they wrote these pieces because you really have to dig deep into your creative mind to come up w/some of these stories.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, creepy is a good word to describe the origins of fairy tales. They were creative warnings and suggestions that adults offered their children. Entertaining they were in a time without all of the trivialities we have today to keep ourselves busy.
ReplyDeleteThe lessons I learned when I read - or had them read for me - Little red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, and Snow White, to name a few, have endured throughout my life. Cinderella has a moral too - it reminds me of the old adage "the meek shall inherit the Earth" - and serves as a reminder that opulence and wealth do not necessarily reflect neither true happiness nor success. Every child ought to have fairy tales read to them for the sake of expanding their imaginations and teaching them valuable lessons in a not-so-innocent world.
Bewildering!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow on earth these stories were even read to children is beyond my wildest dreams. The Birds poking the eyes of the evil stepsisters, a father wanting to marry his daughter, and the awakening of sexual desires from most of the women within fairy tales. Knowing now the origins of the fairy tales give validity to the history within them. As a child I enjoyed the whimsical ideals that were given by fairy tales the magic the usually happy ending, not that this changes my perception of reading them. As a child Disney opened my eyes to castles, and princess and princes as well as a fairy godmother. And as an adult I can appreciate the true origins by enjoying the cryptic the real story is behind the preferred fairy tales.
Personally, I find it so fascinating how these stories have evolved to what they are today. I wonder how Charles Perrault or the Grimm Brothers would have reacted if told that these gruesome stories would live on to one day find themselves as famous sugar-coated Disney movies. I bet they wouldn't have believed it and I wouldn't blame them. These tales went from dark stories with serious symbolism uttered in salons to an industry where jubilant swarms of families and costumed characters go to see "Cinderella's castle" and wait in ridiculously long lines for rides that are based these stories and exploited for millions of dollars...nope I wouldn't blame them for not believing it. Disclaimer: I don't hate Disney, I'm just feeling a little counter-cultural at the moment. But if I ever have a daughter, I might think twice before letting her dress up as Little Red Riding Hood. :)
ReplyDeleteAfter the lecture in class, I've come to realize that although these fairy tales and their origins seem to be shocking for most, I think it is beneficial to us as readers. In order to understand the depths of where stories originated we have to accept the fact that over the course of time they change. Although they now are known as children stories, from the beginning there is a possibility that they were never meant at all to be such a thing. It is only now that it occurs to most of us that Disney's animated version of numerous tales seem shocking simply because we have realized how these stories were originally started.
ReplyDeleteThrough the years and their oral traditions, the impact of worldwide cultures seems to have had a great effect on how these stories may have altered altogether. Still, after hearing the lecture, I find it interesting to learn about their suggestive themes only to find them now as innocent bedtime stories. At the same time, I can still enjoy their naive nature told through Disney, as they express them for children's eyes and ears. I think it's acceptable for these stories to be changed so that a younger audience can enjoy it. On the other hand, their origins can still captivate reader's minds as they ponder about the drastic differences in the stories' past and present. In my opinion, I think the changes in the fairy tales help the story itself by adapting to various time periods and regions of the world. If it wasn't for the suggestive themes in the beginning, we would probably never have had Disney's interpretation of the tales. In the end, I find the lecture having given me a greater insight to their origins and how they've adapted. I'm comfortable knowing I can still enjoy their plots even if the present has made them sugarcoated. After all, stories are stories. Aren't they meant to simply amuse, entertain and possibly educate?
I was always aware that Fairy Tales were among the oldest stories, but I never knew how old. I am glad that we can go in to details of where the stories were told and why they told them to kind of give us a glimpse of what there entertainment and there morals.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked to find out that these fairytales I have grown up with are totally different than what I have known. I grew up watching the Disney movies of Cinderella and Little Mermaid, so had a very idealistic and happy take on these stories. However reading them and seeing that I didn't really know the originals is strange. I like that they are more real than the Disney takes of them are
ReplyDeleteI was shocked to find out all my childhood stories derived from such horrible ones. I find out a couple semesters ago about Little Red Riding Hood. I was distraught. I looked up the Grimm Brothers, and find out about Cinderella. Its interesting how it all has tranformed to stories for kids. When before most of these stories were for adults. I look forward to learning more about the origins of my favorite stories.
ReplyDeleteBefore, when I would think of fairytales, I followed along the Disney path and imagined a singing princess in a big castle with a wicked stepmother and prince that will rescue said princess only to give her a "happily ever after". Now after hearing lectures and reading first hand the original tales, my "happily ever afters" have nothing to do with anything I once thought, but rather whether or not the young girl survives the horror of becoming a woman while a visicious antagonist is plotting her death or ruin.
ReplyDeleteNow that I am living on the flip side of being horrified and having my vision of the dearly beloved "Disney-fied" tales drastically changed, I find that I have respect for these stories and am completely in awe. It completely amazes me that they have been around as long as they have, and even more so that someone a LONG time ago actually came up with something that would span so many thousands of years. Regardless that they began as cautionary tales to induce a healthy dose of fear, the fact the stories such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White have maintained such a prominent place in history that pretty much every person knows some version just makes me feel flabbergasted! I can only dream that I would ever tell a tale so just WOW that people continue weaving it into the threads of history long after I am dust.
It is fascinating to go back to the archaeo- logical territories of fairy tales, where hidden gardens can be found and tended to. I found this lecture to be very interesting because it brings once again to surface how nothing is as it seems. The origins of these tales stir questions about the ancient wisdom carried in such stories. When taken back to the history of something it can begin to be explored and experienced with a new consciousness. Searching further to places where they began, the more meaningful they can become. For example, The Brothers Grimms versions are not clean of fragmentation. So I ask, What were they like before their biases and beliefs took hold of them? These kinds of questions focus on how the symbols can be and have been changed into distorted truths in our psyches. For example, before the Grimm's, perhaps Witches were healers instead of evil sorcerers.
ReplyDeleteThe lecture demonstrated that Fairy Tales are not simply "Disney Cartoons", they are bloodlines of symbols uncovering many real life experiences,mysteries and ancient knowledge that can be traced all over the world. The fact that these stories share precise similarities in patterns, that they have breached into the expansive distances within cultures, which had no way of sharing or knowing of such tales has a profound importance to the understanding of our interconnectedness in the universe. Fairy tales I have learned can be broken down to find different elements that teach in the form of symbols, aspects of our own selves that have not been yet discovered or understood. I find that the ancient melodies of these tales are reminiscent depths and realities of old wisdom.
I didn't fairy tales had such a darkside. Completley changed what I think of them. Though I think I'd rather stick with the disney versions. Some stuff I know now I could have gone with out knowing but at the same time I am glad I learned because It makes the class intersesting. I also told my mom all of this and she didn't know about the darkside of fairy tales either. I wonder what I will find out next.
ReplyDeleteWithout the constant flow of information concering current events (some of us) enjoy today in so many different forms of media, the popularity and evolution of adult oriented fairy tales of centuries past can be seen more clearly. While the modern night owl may view Dave and Conan to hear jokes at a popular or prominent figure's expense, adults from centuries ago would huddle together around a fire and demonize or vent on those of the upper class in their tales.
ReplyDeleteWith little to go on other than knowing that the antagonists of their stories were often wealthy and powerful, early storytellers were left to be as wild in their narratives as they pleased. A free-form style like this allowed for great variations in absurdity and violence as photography had not yet been invented and the enemies could be imagined as anyone by the audience- most people didn't even know what their kings or lords looked like.
While technology has allowed modern society to distance itself from many dangers within First World countries, the realities of peril as a part of everyday life was a very real thing during past ages- especially for the poor. This most likely contributed to the animosity generated and reflected towards the often powerful villains of stories centuries ago. Simple campfire storytelling may have also allowed those reciting the stories to be more adventurous as their names were never attached to them. This is exemplified by the Brothers Grimm and their toned down method as seen in print.
Although I had heard from other friends and teachers that the Disney stories really originated from a maturer and surprising gruesome fairy tales.I was still surprised today in class to know how much older the story Cinderella is believed to be and how it could be possible that Cinderellas shoes were fur and how much more ancient this story can be.
ReplyDeleteI most definitely believe that story telling is the oldest form of communication not only is it a way of communication that's represented with clear examples to believe but also an entertainment and a pass-time.This is why these stories are still present till today. Like the original story, "The Tortus and the rabbit" by Isab till today is taught in children classrooms,but the great part about this is the real meaning and lesson behind these stories because even after many different versions that never changes.
Kassandra Pascual
ReplyDeleteiv always known that fairy tales have a somewhat darker side to them. My favorite versions are from the grimm brothers. what i didn't know was that fairy tales were actually meant for adults. To study and learn the actual meaning of fairy tales is actually pretty exciting. I always thought that Lewis Caroll was crazy on drugs when he wrote AlicE in Wonderland, although i still think he was, the vantage point of growing up and puberty was knew to me
I never really came upon Children's Literature or thought so much about it until I signed up for this course. I had never read the story of Snow White, but rather relied on the Disney version of the movie. Once I learned the origin of this story and how this woman ate an apple, fell into a comma/deep sleep where the prince actually had sex with her and she had kids (while still asleep), I was shocked.
ReplyDeleteThe origin of Little Red Riding Hood and the symbolisms portrayed in this story affected me in more than just one way. For starters, I began to view all stories now differently. I looked for symbolisms and meanings, hidden messages, and much more - I thought to myself: I don't believe I can look at these stories and read them as I used to. At the same time, I was also affected directly into the story as to the occurances and what they meant - Ie: the wolf "eating" her actually meant rape and murder, the symbols of the forest, her red hood, etc.; things that I never really bothered to look past.
I guess that I was just a product of Walt Disney; saw everything the "Disney Version" and not the original scripts - the horrid talk of incest and rape, sex, and murder. Even my sister was shocked when I told her all this, and she's a big Disney fan because it's what my nephew and niece watch (Donald Duck, Pluto, etc.). In conclusion, it's true: the origins of fairy tales are extremely shocking and will change your life and the way you viewed and will view thigs forever!
Fairy tales are as shocking as the time they come from. Times were men had a different point of view of the world; times where many horrible things happened as well as many amazing and miraculous. This tales have been told from generation to generation and of course they have had to be change along the way. The people invented this tales either told the story of someone they knew or they heard it from someone else and then change it a little bit or completely. Therefore, we all know that the versions of the most famous tales have been obviously altered.
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ReplyDeleteThe origin of fairytales is not shocking to me at all. I presume that I have always been a person who is not easily perplexed by the oddness of human behavior, but I will have to admit that some of the stories are a bit gruesome even for my taste. The Sleeping Beauty was the fairytale that decently shook me up the most. The idea that the princess that all the Disney-generation kids all came to love, was sexually assaulted it's very weird. In the original plot the princess did not wake up from her sleep after the prince kissed her, she woke up way after she already had children with him. People have always been victims of their time, and this is before Freud, but it still does not make it any less eerie.
ReplyDeleteThe origins of fairytales amazes me because these are stories that have been repeated over the ages and whether they have changed in many ways or not they all still carry the same concept and lesson. Fairy tales have been passed on by oral tradition and have been remade to fit anyones customs, religions, and even race so everyone adults and children can relate to them somehow. To think that some fairytales have been dated back to time where paintings were being drawn on cave always is so amzinf to think that people were walking the earth with these ideas that over the years were embellished into these timeless stories that will be passed on from generation to generation. Although there are different sides to every story like how the Grimms brothers version of Aschenputtel aka Cinderella has a much more gruesome ending than the orginal story of Cinderella written by Perrault its something that we should expect when we have different authors writing the same stories. This is also something we can expect since oral tradition is like playing a game of telephone in the end the message you started with is somewhat different in the end and it will ocntinue like this always but i think thats what makes the stories better and more interesting for the audience and readers around the world.
ReplyDeleteLet me start by saying that I'm not someone who "reads between the lines" easily. I read all these stories many times before we had to read them for this class, but I never saw most of the references to rape and the obsession with a girl's sexual awareness. I was astounded that there was so much to do with sex in all these stories.
ReplyDeleteI was also surprised to find that these stroies weren't written (or told) for children. I figured that all the gore was acceptable in kids' stories a few hundred years ago because they weren't as sheltered from violence as kids nowadays; they went to hangings for fun, for goodness sake! But no, these stories were aimed at parents as cautionary tales or just entertainment.
Jeniffer Laventure says:
ReplyDeleteI always thought fairytales were ALWAYS suppose to have happy endings. I was completely wrong about that! The origins of fairytales seem to put me in a curious state of mind. As a child I have repeatedly read and watch the stories of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty,Snow white, and Alice in Wonderland and it was never brought to my attention that all theses stories carry their own darkness. The author's seem to have put their own experiences into their stories, secretly hiding their true intentions.
The authors true sexual desires, and the harsh reality that we do grow up and life does change. Even though I have a better understanding of what really goes on in the origins of fairytales I think it should be kept a secret! Fairytales takes us to a place we can go and be someone else or wish we were in another place in time fo atleast a little while. Because when true reality sets in thats another step growm into adulthood.
I always had the impression that these fairy tales were nothing more than fantasy stories intended to entertain kids. It came as a shock to discover they were actually meant for adults and that the versions that I always thought to be the originals were actually modified for kids.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that these stories that looked so innocent were actually full of symbols intended to talk about issues of society, such as sex, violence, rape, murder, and incest. They have all been portrayed, in the fairy tales that I saw, as nothing more than fantasy world for children.
The story of Little Red Riding Hood, for example, is full of symbolism. When the wolf "ate" Little Red, it actually meant that he raped her or sexually abused her. The forest meant danger and experience, and so many more symbols. I would have probably not figured any of this out without taking this course. Not only am I shock with these facts, but I'm also shock how Disney made it possible to adapt this stories for children purposes. I believed that it was clever of him to use these stories and turn them into a real profit.
All these fairy tales have a deep meaning that teaches us about life in general. It teaches us that danger and the beauty of life. It makes us see the reality of things through the use fantasy world and adventures. I was surprise for everything I found out about these fairy tales, but I'm also glad because now I can see the true purpose of these stories.
Since I first learned to pick up a book and understand what it said, I had preferred reading over watching T.V or movies, and when young, I was actually first introduced to the original fairy tales rather than the "sweetened" versions Disney made of them. On simpler terms, I grew up to the Little Mermaid never marrying her prince and instead becoming a spirit of the air, Cinderella's stepsisters mutilating their feet, and Snow White being tricked by the Evil Queen three times. I can agree that the original versions are much more shocking than the ones most people are used to, which are the Disney versions.
ReplyDeleteAs far as which I prefer is obviously the originals. Though Disney has made his version of these classics and made them into unforgettable songs, as well as introducing us to thousands of characters we all love, I personally believe they are not as rich and deep as the original works. In fact, I believe they destroy the true messages and beauty behind the true classics. I find that the lessons and morals found in the classic tales are more valuable to a child rather than the same story (only told with different characters and different spells...)of a singing princess that needs to be saved from her wicked witch of a stepmother by a handsome prince.
Nicholas Sylver
ReplyDeleteSeeing some of these comments does make for interesting read. However, I always thought that the fairy tales that we grew up knowing (Cinderalla, Little Red Riding Hood, e.t.c.) were G Rated, watered down versions of something drastically different. As children, being told a story by someone we trust, or something such as a book or text, tends to leave us with an unwavering belief in the story. But, oh man did my opinion change after reading the uncut, uncensored, real stories. These fairy tales went from fantasy to ouright horror and mayhem. Ah, how my opinions have changed.
To be completely honest i rather like the true origins of the tales it makes them more credible ... well not credible because they still contain outlandish plots yet this somehow makes the characters more relatable.
ReplyDeleteThe darker yet more romantic aspect of fairy tales use to mesmerize me more as a child because they took human feelings rather then situations to the extreme