Using Literary Lenses to analyze fairy tales

What inspires you to work hard? What inspires us to work hard? Why pay our taxes, do our homework, or practice scales on the piano? There is an intrinsic value we get from working: the good feeling from being a productive member of society or from being righteous. Perhaps more motivating, however, are the consequences of NOT working; we work to avoid the consequences.

Designed as teaching tools Imparts cultural norms Fairy Tales Designed as teaching tools Imparts cultural norms First encounter with literary subtext Fairy tales, fables, allegories are stories designed to teach us. Aside from their entertainment value, their intrinsic purpose is to instruct on issues of morality, ethics, and cultural norms. As children, we get direct instruction from our parents and families. We are protected from potential danger (don’t touch; it’s hot), and we are praised when we do things that please (good manners, putting away our toys, sharing). Fairy tales are our first encounter with literary subtext. They teach through fictional representations of right and wrong.

The tale of the three little pigs Are you sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin… Tell the story of the three little pigs…

As evidenced in The Three Little Pigs, intelligent planning and foresight combined with hard labor will make us victorious over even our most ferocious enemy – in this case the wolf! The consequences for laziness, for being unprepared are death and destruction.

The tale also demonstrates the advantages of age and wisdom, as the third pig is usually the biggest and the oldest. The youngest pig is the smallest, the least wise, and controlled by desire for instant gratification. He sacrifices a sturdy home for more time to play. Equally, the second oldest pig builds his house from wood. While stronger, he still took shortcuts in the production of his home resulting in vulnerability. He stopped short of his very best effort. In growing up, the pigs evolve. The eldest is the most powerful, the wisest, and the one most able to delay his desire to play so that he is safe. He is aware of the relationship between actions and consequences. As such, he controls the fates of the other pigs.

Your turn

rapunzel Mythological/archetypal

Snow white psychoanalytical

Jack and the beanstalk Modernism-Post Modernism

Little red riding hood feminist

Hansel and gretel Mythological/archetypal

goldilocks Modernism/Post-modernism

Directions: Today: create roles. Establish group protocols, communication, project planning Homework: research your fairytale. Know it inside and out including historical time period. Print one-page summary of story. Bring to class on Thursday. Thursday: first half of class in library. Research your literary lens. Prepare presentation. Second half of class in classroom. Presentations SECOND HALF OF Monday, March 10th.

Presentations will include: Overview of literary lens Brief retelling of fairy tale Analysis of tale through lens

STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS as analyzed from a psychological lens.

Psychological lens Freud and Jung The “mind” of the novel, author, characters Classic theories and complexes: Oedipal, Electra Id, Ego, Super Ego

Egocentric, least able to delay gratification, liability to others (society), most susceptible to death or destruction, eager to shirk responsibility and be taken care of by others.

Displays some qualities of work ethic, but still egocentric Displays some qualities of work ethic, but still egocentric. Cannot easily apply learning from others. Also a liability to others (society). Quick to turn to for advice and protection. Afforded some power (by society), but still at the mercy of others.

Most evolved, has the most realized potential, motivated to conform to societies expectations, is rewarded with power and control. Seen as the hero, warrior or savior of community.

Hero and villain

While fairy tales are and will continue to be classified as children’s literature, they hold in their simple prose the basic tenets of our society. They hold the moral and ethical principles of our culture. Hence, they are our first learning tool from which we measure our self against the expectations of society.