The Literary Life Podcast

Episode 70: Why Read Fairy Tales?

33 snips
Nov 3, 2020
Angelina Stanford, a literary scholar focused on fairy tales, joins Cindy Rollins, an expert in literary interpretation, to explore the significance of fairy stories. They dive into how these tales transcend mere escapism, revealing deeper truths about life and character. Stanford contrasts fairy tales with myths and addresses common misconceptions about gender roles in these narratives. They discuss the historical roots and cultural universality of tales like 'Sleeping Beauty,' emphasizing their rich metaphorical meanings and enduring relevance.
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INSIGHT

Regretting Sheltering vs. Exposing

  • Parents often regret sheltering kids from fairy tales, realizing they denied them something important.
  • However, they rarely regret allowing their children to explore fairy tales.
INSIGHT

Everyman Heroes

  • Fairy tale heroes are nicknamed Everyman figures (e.g., Cinderella), not named demigods.
  • This emphasizes that anyone can face and overcome challenges with supernatural help.
INSIGHT

Fairy Tales vs. Myths

  • Fairy tales, unlike myths, aren't tied to specific times or places.
  • This makes them universally relatable, as anyone could encounter similar obstacles.
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