Fairy tale
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| A '''fairy tale''' is a fictional [[story]] that usually features [[folklore|folkloric]] characters (such as [[fairy|fairies]], [[goblin]]s, [[elf|elves]], [[troll]]s, [[witch]]es, [[giant (mythology)|giants]], and [[talking animal]]s) and [[enchanted|enchantments]], often involving a far-fetched sequence of events. In modern-day parlance, a "fairy tale ending" refers to a [[happy ending]], though there are notable examples and genres of fairy tales that do not end happily. | A '''fairy tale''' is a fictional [[story]] that usually features [[folklore|folkloric]] characters (such as [[fairy|fairies]], [[goblin]]s, [[elf|elves]], [[troll]]s, [[witch]]es, [[giant (mythology)|giants]], and [[talking animal]]s) and [[enchanted|enchantments]], often involving a far-fetched sequence of events. In modern-day parlance, a "fairy tale ending" refers to a [[happy ending]], though there are notable examples and genres of fairy tales that do not end happily. | ||
| - | In [[culture]]s where [[demon]]s and [[witchcraft|witches]] are perceived as real, fairy tales may merge into [[legend|legendary narratives]], where the context is perceived by teller and hearers as having historical actuality. However, unlike [[legend]]s and [[epic poetry|epics]], they usually do not contain more than superficial references to [[religion]] and actual places, persons, and events; they take place "[[once upon a time]]" rather than in actual times.<ref>Catherine Orenstein, ''Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked: Sex, Morality, and the Evolution of a Fairy Tale'', p. 9, ISBN 0-465-04125-6.</ref> | + | In [[culture]]s where [[demon]]s and [[witchcraft|witches]] are perceived as real, fairy tales may merge into [[legend|legendary narratives]], where the context is perceived by teller and hearers as having historical actuality. However, unlike [[legend]]s and [[epic poetry|epics]], they usually do not contain more than superficial references to [[religion]] and actual places, persons, and events; they take place "[[once upon a time]]" rather than in actual times. |
| Fairy tales are found in [[oral tradition|oral folktale]] and in [[literature|literary]] form. The history of the fairy tale is particularly difficult to trace, because only the literary forms can survive. Still, the evidence of literary works at least indicates that fairy tales have existed for thousands of years, although not perhaps recognized as a [[genre]]; the name "fairy tale" was first ascribed to them by [[Madame d'Aulnoy]]. Literary fairy tales are found over the centuries throughout the world, and when folklorists collected them, they found fairy tales in every culture. Fairy tales, and works derived from fairy tales, are still written today. | Fairy tales are found in [[oral tradition|oral folktale]] and in [[literature|literary]] form. The history of the fairy tale is particularly difficult to trace, because only the literary forms can survive. Still, the evidence of literary works at least indicates that fairy tales have existed for thousands of years, although not perhaps recognized as a [[genre]]; the name "fairy tale" was first ascribed to them by [[Madame d'Aulnoy]]. Literary fairy tales are found over the centuries throughout the world, and when folklorists collected them, they found fairy tales in every culture. Fairy tales, and works derived from fairy tales, are still written today. | ||
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A fairy tale is a fictional story that usually features folkloric characters (such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, witches, giants, and talking animals) and enchantments, often involving a far-fetched sequence of events. In modern-day parlance, a "fairy tale ending" refers to a happy ending, though there are notable examples and genres of fairy tales that do not end happily.
In cultures where demons and witches are perceived as real, fairy tales may merge into legendary narratives, where the context is perceived by teller and hearers as having historical actuality. However, unlike legends and epics, they usually do not contain more than superficial references to religion and actual places, persons, and events; they take place "once upon a time" rather than in actual times.
Fairy tales are found in oral folktale and in literary form. The history of the fairy tale is particularly difficult to trace, because only the literary forms can survive. Still, the evidence of literary works at least indicates that fairy tales have existed for thousands of years, although not perhaps recognized as a genre; the name "fairy tale" was first ascribed to them by Madame d'Aulnoy. Literary fairy tales are found over the centuries throughout the world, and when folklorists collected them, they found fairy tales in every culture. Fairy tales, and works derived from fairy tales, are still written today.
The older fairy tales were intended for an audience of adults as well as children, but they were associated with children as early as the writings of the précieuses; the Brothers Grimm titled their collection Children's and Household Tales, and the link with children has only grown stronger with time.
Folklorists have classified fairy tales in various ways. Among the most notable are the Aarne-Thompson classification, and the morphological analysis of Vladimir Propp. Other folklorists have interpreted the tales' significance, but no school has been definitively established for the meaning of the tales.[1] [May 2007]
