Chapter 7

FAIRY TALES
 THE FAIRYTALE

• In children's literature, the fairy tale is

considered as the most traditional and the most
preferable form of discourse.

• This genre can find its roots in the oral

tradition and storytelling hence it's present in
all cultures (Cisneros, 2017)
 THE FAIRYTALE
• With elements derived from folktale and mythology, the stories under this genre
involve fantastic and supernatural forces and begins. Moreover, the motifs, the
style in which they are told and the character depiction are also very similar across
cultures (Surfturk ,2020)

• According to Koutsompou (2016) , the Fairy tale is popular genre for children.
 THE FAIRYTALE
• But then there is always a question on whether fairytales are truly effective in
inculcating all of this when they are not realistic at all in terms of characteristic,
settings , and plot. Bethleheim ( 1980) a cited by ( stoykova, 2020).

• According to Piaget, children's minds remains animistic until puberty that is why
although they seem to accept scientific and logical explanation from their elders ,
these are still usually difficult for them to truly comprehend.
C. General Characteristics (Stoykova, 2020)

✔ Fairy tales have a formulaic beginning and ending. Usually, they

begin with the expression 'Once upon a time'; 'A long time ago'; or
'There was once a.....

✔ There is always at least one good character and that role is usually for
the protagonist.
✓ There is always an evil, if not, a misguided character. The good
character overcomes the obstacles this evil character creates.

✓ Although they are not a requirement, many fairy tales feature

royalty and castles.

✓ Magic is prevalent.

✓ There is always an obstacle to be overcome

Koutsompo (2016) also presents her own perception on
what defines a fairy tale:

✓ The fairy tale's world is completely imaginary.

✓ The characters are also general with many of their names

simply derived from their characteristics or attires
✓ The events are usually extreme. There are characters who
are too ugly then there are some who are too beautiful.

✓ The plot is structured around the archetypal conflict

between good and evil, with the evil dominating at the
beginning of the story and the good prevailing in the end.
 D. Motifs of the Fairy Tale (Surfturk, 2020)

The motif is a recurring image, idea or symbol in a literary work.

Here are some common motifs that make fairy tales 'fairy tales’:
✔ Talking animals or objects ✓ Triumph of the poor
✓ Exploration of human weaknesses like curiosity and vanity
✓ Glorification of human strengths like kindness and patience
✓ Impossible tasks ✓ Struggle between good and evil
✓ Guardians, mentors, donors and helper
 THE VALUE OF FAIRY TALES TO CHILDREN

Many experts have posited that fairy tales are important in aiding children’s
development.
Klim-Kliwaszewska (2015) for an instance, stated that fairy tales give the following
benefits to children:

✓Fairy tales show common truths about humankind and the world in a simple
manner that children can easily understand.

✓They also show pre-established human aims, proper behavior as well as moral
norms approved and even rewarded by society.
✓ The fantasy in fairy tales allows children to develop their creative abilities in
inventing or transforming what is already familiar to them. This fosters
innovation and plants it early on in the consciousness of young children.

When the fairy tale is incorporated into education, it takes a moral role by
transmitting socially coded behavioral patterns.
Moreover, it is also important to note that although fairy tales are considered
more appropriate for younger children, teachers can also engage older children in
critical readings of said stories.
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GROUP 5

PRIMERO, BERNADETH
RASDAS, PRECIOUS GRACE
SAET, MOREINE CARREY
SALES, KRYSHA MAE