Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Post #1
Darnton's "Peasants Tell Tales: The Meaning of Mother Goose" is a more indicative essay of fairy tales being more than just a form of children's entertainment, due to the numerous explanations of interpretations of the fairy tales, especially Little Red Riding Hood. Although many of the psychological explanations behind Little Red Riding Hood are interpretations that were made to later versions of the tale, they are still significant contributions to fairy tale literature and research. Due to the opinion of such psychoanalysts, some classic fairy tales are centered on sexual urges and desires of the protagonist of the story; Little Red Riding Hood, as said by some, depicts a daughter’s love for her father through an oedipal complex. If this were to be the case, it would be highly unlikely and inappropriate that this story would be written for a child.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I definately agree with you that Darnton does a better job showing that fairy tales are more than children's entertainment. Although, I'm not exactly sure I understand exactly how much you want the psychoanalytic role to play in giving the tales a deeper meaning. A psychoanalyst would say that the oedipal complex must be included in children's literature so they can cope with it and develop into healthy adults. Why would you say that it is inappropriate to include the concept in something that is not just for children anyway?
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of the subtle oedipal complex is something children can be exposed to beause its is discreet and is not saying that little red riding hood is simply jumping into bed with her father. It's the anlysis of the stories that are not what children should have to encounter until they are much older in school.
ReplyDeleteResponding to Chester -- I did not say that it was inappropriate to include this oedipal complex; what was written should be interpreted as if fairy tales were written just for children, then it would be inappropriate, however, they are not written just for children, therefore, an acceptable concept.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Chester and you that Darnton does a much better job at clearly explaining the fact that fairy tales are so much more than entertainment for children. However being read simply as a story they do provide a good tale for children. It is only when they are read deeper and studied analytically that the deeper and somewhat darker messages come through. Agreeing with Holly, children should not be exposed to this when young. It is something they should encounter when they are older as it could be somewhat disillusioning.
ReplyDelete