According to
Merriam-Webster online dictionary there are a few listings for how a fairytale
is defined:
a : a story (as for children)
involving fantastic forces and beings (as fairies, wizards, and goblins)
—called also fairy story[1]
b : a story in which improbable
events lead to a happy ending[2]
If I have
learned anything in the past two weeks of class, it is that both of these
definitions come up short. Lets take definition “a” for example. I am currently
taking a college level undergraduate course titled Once Upon a Time – Folk and Fairy Tales Around the World. I am 22
and am as much of a child as fairy tales are for children. Starting here one
can start to formulate a working definition for a fairytale. The second
definition “b” is also problematic. Fairytales do not always lead to happy
endings. In Hans Christian Anderson’s original tale, Little Mermaid actually
does not marry the prince and throws herself into the sea where she dissolves[3].
Thus far we know that fairytales are for children as well as adults and they do
not always lead to happy endings. The next task we must accomplish is finding
the origin. I do not mean the origin of the word fairytale, but the origins of
the fairytale stories. Many theories stretch from monogenesis and polygenesis
to dreams and local legends. While all have individual merit, I believe that
fairytales have formed from Max Lüthi theory. Max’s idea is that legends and
local sagas emerge into fairytales[4].
This theory works for me the best. This is because I can see how in everyday life
a story originates and is then passed along until the original story is
completely embellished. Fairy tales seem to have the same characteristic
because there are so many different versions of the same story. Now I am down
to the last step of my definition. The last step is to determine the purpose of
these tales. In class we learned that fairytales are a means of teaching
someone a lesson or societal norm. For instance, Little Red Riding Hood was not
supposed to deviate from her path. In every version of the story she does and
this is what gets her in trouble. One potential meaning behind the story would
be to listen to your elders. Finally, I am ready to make my definition.
Fairytale- a
story with a happy or unhappy ending that is intended for all audiences. A
fairytale has originated from a local story or legend and usually contains a
meaning or lesson for the audience.
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