Fairy Tales Once Upon A Time…

Definition A fairy tale is a type of short narrative that typically features folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. However, only a small number of the stories refer to fairies.

Definition Fairy tales are part of the oral tradition of literature. They are old stories that tell of man’s problems, fears, and hopes. What makes the fairy tale different from folklore, fables, and tall tales, is its use of magic and fantasy.

The supernatural characters in fairy stories are not always fairy godmothers or winged sprites. They may be magicians, ogres, dragons elfs, goblins, gnomes, or leprechauns.

Often fairy tales involve ordinary people who have experiences of a supernatural kind and are affected by charms, disguises, spells, or other fantastic occurrences. In The Sleeping Beauty, a princess is shut up by enchantment in a castle and sleeps for 100 years; the thick wood that grows up around the castle is penetrated by a prince who awakens the princess with a kiss.

The Purpose of Fairy Tales Purpose was for entertainment and education Fairy tales were found all over the world – oldest 1700 BC in Egypt Fairies were thought to be spirits, fallen angels, descendants of eve, remnants of an earlier race, “good people” These creatures had little sympathy for humans – terrible revenge on those who offended them Spoken - They were handed down through generations mostly oral communication (since people could not read or write)

Elements of a Fairy Tale Does NOT need to include fairies. Set in the past—usually significantly long ago. Include magic, fantasy, supernatural, or make-believe aspects. May contain fantasy characters such as fairies, witches, elves, pixies, magicians, fairy godparents, etc. Good characters vs. evil characters. May include objects, people, or events in threes. Focus the plot on a problem or conflict that needs to be solved through trials and tribulations. Modern versions often have happy endings and are very optimistic Usually has a moral - teaches a lesson or demonstrate values important to the culture.

Popular Fairy Tales Hansel and Gretel Sleeping Beauty Rumpelstiltskin Cinderella Rapunzel Jack and the Beanstalk Snow White Beauty and the Beast The Frog Prince Red Riding Hood Hansel and Gretel Rumpelstiltskin Snow Queen Thumbelina The Emperor’s New Clothes Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp

The History of Fairy Tales To many, the word fairytale may conjure up images such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, and others. However, fairytales were not always for children…

Back when these stories were first told around campfires, in taverns, and in some medieval villages, there were very few kids present. The parables were often violent in nature and served as a source of entertainment for peasants after a long day’s work.

Popularity As their popularity spread, fairy tales came to have a major influence on children’s literature. They have also become a heavy influence in movies, sitcoms, and advertisements as they are so popular and widely known.

Origins Most modern versions of fairy tales come from three sources: The Grimm Brothers from Germany Hans Christian Anderson from Denmark Frenchman Charles Perrault, the collector of the "Mother Goose" tales.

Charles Perrault Born in Paris, France in 1628 Collected fairy tales and published Tales of Mother Goose in 1697 Among the eight stories in this book are The Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, Blue Beard, and Cinderella. Died in 1703

Grimm Brothers In the early 19th century the Grimm brothers of Germany traveled around the countryside collecting stories. Their 200 stories commonly called Grimm’s Fairy Tales have been translated into 70 languages. Fewer people know about the lives of the Grimm brothers and how they went about the countryside listening to folktales as told by those who had heard them from their mothers and fathers.

The brothers were born in Germany. Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm was born on Jan. 4, 1785. Wilhelm Carl Grimm was born on Feb. 24, 1786. The brothers spent some 13 years collecting stories "from the lips of people" of Hesse in middle Germany.

Sometimes there were several versions of the stories, and these the Grimms combined into one. It must have been difficult to choose between different versions. Should Rumpelstiltskin ride around the fire in a ladle, or should he hop around it on one foot? Should a wolf or a witch live in the sugar house found by Hansel and Gretel?

The stories were kept alive by the German peasants of the time--the cowherd, the woodcutter, the wood-carver--who had no hope of rising above their positions in life Wilhelm died on Dec. 16, 1859 Jacob died on Sept. 20, 1863.

Hans Christian Andersen Another writer whose tales became universally popular was Hans Christian Andersen He was born April 2, 1805, on the island of Fyn, off the coast of Denmark. He memorized and recited plays to anyone who would listen.

Andersen published 168 fairy tales in all. "The real ones come of themselves," he said. "They knock at my forehead and say, 'Here I am'." Although he never married and had no children of his own, he was at his best as an interpreter of the nature of children. He died on Aug. 4, 1875.

Although these authors lived long ago and far away... Andersen--Denmark Perrault--France Us--United States Grimm Brothers--Germany ...the appeal and popularity of the tales, continue to entertain us and we live happily ever after.