We’ve been hearing stories since we were born. Our parents or grandparents told us stories of magical kingdoms, witches, princes and princesses and all that jazz. They all had morals to them didn’t they? Cinderella taught us to still be on our best behaviour even if those around us weren’t. Little Red Riding Hood taught us to confront our fears and the importance of stranger danger. Fairy tales were developed as bedtime stories, though they were told orally at first. The first documented versions of fairy tales can be traced back to the Renaissance. Early writers of the genre include The Brothers Grimm, Giovanni Francesco Straparola, and Charles Perrault. They wrote what is the basis of many modern fairy tales. Originally fantasy was considered fairy tales, but has since gained its own recognition.
Most fairy tales follow a hero’s journey. It shows the hero’s rise to ‘fame’. The reader follows along with the journey and starts relating more to the character.
However fairy tales have had negative effects on those that read them. One reason being the warped reality. The princess meets her knight in shining armor that saves her, they get married in a castle, then ride off into the sunset. Unfortunately, that kind of thing has a habit of not happening in real life. Or if it does, the marriage will only last about 72 days. But they have encouraged us to believe in love. Everyone wants to find their one true love, just like in the fairy tales.
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References:
Danish, E. (n.d.). Influence of Fairy Tales on Children. Retrieved March 11, 2016, from http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/15745/1/Influence-of-Fairy-Tales-on-Children.html
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