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Hilary McGowan's picture

Thanks a bunch!

 

In reading this article, I thought about how fairy tales shaped my own life as a child. Do these concepts spoken about in the article really apply to me? Has my imagination been shaped by the fairy tales in my thick, folded over Grimm's book? The act of psychoanalyzing myself is a tricky one, because you are to close to see the reality that lies. But on a cursory level, I would like to think that, yes; this article does apply to me. I do have an unconscious telling me what is right or wrong. The ultimate conscience or guidance has been set in place by the lessons and realizations of fairy tales. And it wasn't that was all that my parents showed to me, as a child I was attracted to these things. I believe that all children are, whether introduced or not, drawn to the tales of wicked and good characters.

On another thought, the importance and deep inner meaning of fairy tales was revealed on deeper analysis. As we all know, cultures all around the World have been telling the same basic principal stories. Although the characters may have different names and the flavor changes from place to place, every culture has subconsciously realized the importance of these lessons. It could be the lesson of staying loyal and true, cunning and smart, lucky and trusting, or so many things. These lessons and their rewards have integrated themselves into our psyche and culture. The rags to riches tales are glorified versions of fairy stories even.

I do agree with this writing completely. It's exciting to see the justification of the fascination to the tales on an academic and valid basis. I could never put to words just right what I felt when I read them, so this did it for me. Thank you Mr. Bettelheim. Thank you.

 

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