The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales - Essay Example

Fairy tales Fairy tales come from all areas around the globe. Many are identical in content, with the same underlying ethical or moral message, but with different situations and characters. Fairy tales tell a lot about a culture and how it perceives the world. Traditions allow children to determine how a culture reacts and thinks, and are a significant aspect of critical thinking; thus, fairy tales are a fundamental element of a child’s custom. In the past, few fairy tales were modified since they uniquely inform children about morals and other aspects of the society. Nowadays, many authors have started writing more fanciful stories that have become more elaborated. Fairy tales have existed for hundreds of years and were initially passed from one generation to the other, through storytelling. This essay analyzes G.K. Chestertons evaluation of the benefit of fairy tales in "Fairy Tales Are Good for Children" and the evaluation of Bruno Bettleheim ("The Uses of Enchantment"). Bettelhiem in his article, the uses of Enchantment, believes that fairy experiences are liked by the children, not because of their imagery, not in accordance to what goes on within him but rather all the anxious ideas in his mind. These experiences always result in a satisfactory outcome, which the child cannot think about on his own (Bettelhiem 280) for instance, most fairy stories often start with the death of a parent; in these tales death creates the most distressing problem, as the fear of it does in real life. It is distinctive of most fairy tales to state an existing dilemma; hence, this permits the child to encounter a problem in its most critical form. The fairy tales simplify all situations since its characters are clearly drawn and are typically unique. Almost everybody was told a version of “Cinderella” at one point in their lives. They were recited to us by our mother, father, grandfather, grandmother, aunties and uncles or other family members when we were young. We could not help but feel fascinated as our imaginations transports us to our captivated efforts and time. But what really attracted us to be so enthusiastic about tales’ experiences like these? How do these experiences impact the children revealed to it in the long run as we both take a trip in the direction of children growing up? Different understandings by Chesterton and Bettelheim to each tale story may be on how it pertains to personal experiences and on why and how these activities impact children’s growth. Mythic experiences all have one thing in common; they inform the tale of building a connection with other characters within the tale, developing activities relevant to the themes and showing lots of different principles such as love, hate, the distinction between good and wicked, morality and its repercussions. On the other hand, Chesterton feels that fairy stories may be an act of "spiritual explorations". Fairy tales direct a child to realize his identity and also suggest what experiences are required in developing character further. What fairly tales offer a child, is his first comprehensible idea of the potential to defeat the bogey (Chesterton, 276). A good example is when; a child may imagine monsters too black and too big and give them names cacophonous and too unearthly to have occurred in any lunatic’s cries. These fairly tales promise that, that once a child dares to engage in this taxing and fearsome search, benevolent powers may come to his assistance; hence, succeed. Both Chesterton and Bettelheim agree that as a child, when introduced to these types of stories we can’t help but concentrate or pay close attention to the characteristic traits that makes the story interesting and appealing to us at that moment. For little girls, the character of the princess is the most sought out role, the princess role represents beauty and glamour, as well as, purity in it’s most fundamental role, it exemplifies the good life of wealth, power, and love all around them, regardless how dire or dark the story goes, it will all work out into a happy ending. For little boys, we sought out the role of the Prince, both as a Hero and an evil-slayer; our purpose is driven by rescuing the damsel in distress, our true love, or in other words our very own Princess. This character represents that of what our imaginations as little boys sought for. A life of adventure, action, and recognition, all in all while doing good deeds and rescuing the princess. A good example is when a child is bullied; it assists the child to what the bully did to cause the teacher discipline him or her, or what he or she did to prompt the bully’s response. In addition, Chesterton and Bettelheim also agree that most fairy tales have a similar pattern to each other and almost all of them follow its most basic concept. It tells us specifically what is good and what is bad, and it also clearly identifies the characters in the story as such. Like the story of “Cinderella” it tells us about sibling rivalry and unjust treatment of lower and social status, yet it also identifies moral values such kindness towards cruelty, and that hard work will eventually be rewarded and also to never give up. The fairy tale itself tells us that there is hope despite any given situation. That it is okay to dream, and wish for love and happiness because those that are good and well deserving of it will eventually have them. This is just one example, some fairy tales have tragedies, and even that important lesson can still be learned. Not to do this or this will happen, do this, and this can happen, and the early lesson of results and consequences. All these moral issues bundled up together can have a positive impact on the proper growth and development of a child. When introduced to this type of stories at an early age it is more generally accepted and easily absorbed because it is less complicated and far more interesting than reality itself. According to Chesterton, some people might actually argue that fairy tales are delusional and biased as opposed to the over-whelming morality of good versus evil; however, it may also be unkind to give girls sentimental novels since it makes them cry (Chesterton, 276). Human beings say that, growing-up with this kind of fairy tales’ concepts; in a child’s mind can be hazardous because the bulk of these fairy tales only expose a happy ending. For instance, the witch in the fairly tale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves can scare a child due to the fear caused by the tale. Despite all these difficulties of the original intention of fairy tales, their morals and values towards the children may be important, and plainly eliminate fear. In conclusion, both Chesterton and Bettelhiem agree on the significance of fairy tales in the proper growth of a child. Fairy tales like “Cinderella” have a moral lesson at the end of the story. To remember this clearly, and engrave it in the mind of any child, that hears it, it takes the lesson somewhat seriously to heart. The mixture of realistic and familiar aspects of reality that a child can relate to and unrealistic characteristics or properties such as magic or enchantments adds to its overall popular appeal that makes the whole experience of hearing or reading it memorable and worthwhile to a child. The lesson taught can have a positive effect on children in general, are actually very simple to understand. Works Cited Bettelheim, B. The uses of enchantment: The meaning and importance of fairy tales. 1975.  Chesterton, G. Fairy Tales Are Good for Children. n.d. p. 276. Read More