The Evolution of Fairy Tales
By Allie Valentine
Fairy tales originated and evolved from
folk tales. These tales were primarily written for adults. From the 14th
until the 17th centuries fairy tales were meant for the upper class.
Peasants were excluded from taking part in the tradition of storytelling. Fairy
tales were passed down only by men. Over time, women were allowed to listen to and
eventually tell the tales. Once fairy tales were popular in literature, the younger
generation began to listen and tell the stories.
France began to participate in fairy tale literacy in 1690. France directed their fairy tales towards children and their education. This was very different to other countries’ takes on the tales. By transforming the oral stories to written tales, France made fairy tales available to all ages and social classes in 1730. In the 17th and 18th centuries, nannies took over the story telling tradition. By the late 18th and 19th century, mothers and tutors began to talk to the children more about fairy tales for educational purposes and to develop imagination. Middle class people seemed to have been the primary audience of German fairy tales. Their fairy tales were more graphic in comparison to French tales. They did not have the pleasant endings like other countries had. By the late 19th and 20th century, fairy tales were most appealing for children. The tales after this point were created to teach children without being gruesome.
The purpose of fairy tales has changed since their origin. Originally, they were morbid tales told by men to other men. By the turn of the 17th century France used fairy tales to educate children and adults; whereas, Germany kept the tales for adults to wish or vent against the social and government systems. Germany’s approach to fairy tales was the most common until the 19th century; by then adults and writers saw fairy tales as a way to educate children and help give them an imagination without fear. This approach for fairy tales continues today.
France began to participate in fairy tale literacy in 1690. France directed their fairy tales towards children and their education. This was very different to other countries’ takes on the tales. By transforming the oral stories to written tales, France made fairy tales available to all ages and social classes in 1730. In the 17th and 18th centuries, nannies took over the story telling tradition. By the late 18th and 19th century, mothers and tutors began to talk to the children more about fairy tales for educational purposes and to develop imagination. Middle class people seemed to have been the primary audience of German fairy tales. Their fairy tales were more graphic in comparison to French tales. They did not have the pleasant endings like other countries had. By the late 19th and 20th century, fairy tales were most appealing for children. The tales after this point were created to teach children without being gruesome.
The purpose of fairy tales has changed since their origin. Originally, they were morbid tales told by men to other men. By the turn of the 17th century France used fairy tales to educate children and adults; whereas, Germany kept the tales for adults to wish or vent against the social and government systems. Germany’s approach to fairy tales was the most common until the 19th century; by then adults and writers saw fairy tales as a way to educate children and help give them an imagination without fear. This approach for fairy tales continues today.
Bibliography
Zipes, Jack. The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales. New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 2000. Book.
Luthi, Max. The Fairy Tale As Art Form and Portrait of Man. Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1984. Book
Benson, Stephen. Contemporary Fiction and The Fairy Tale. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2008. Book.
Zipes, Jack. The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales. New York: Oxford University Press Inc., 2000. Book.
Luthi, Max. The Fairy Tale As Art Form and Portrait of Man. Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1984. Book
Benson, Stephen. Contemporary Fiction and The Fairy Tale. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2008. Book.