Customer Reviews

Once Upon a Time: On the Nature of Fairy Tales

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a joy to read, concise and short, full of insight and authority yet never hard going. Luthi is a distinguished scholar, but keen to communicate his enthusiasm rather than any dry analysis. Scholars have analysed fairy tales according to many models, but this book becomes a primer for folklore theories too, as Luthi takes a tale or two in each chapter and examines them according to a different one of those approaches each time.

For anyone fascinated in adulthood by fairy tales, this really teases out the essence of the tales, their nature and appeal, and the various ways they resonate with us. 'It is quite likely that behind many features in our fairy tales there are old customs and beliefs; but in the context of the tale they have lost their original character. Fairy tales are experienced by their hearers and readers, not as realistic, but as symbolic poetry.' (chapter 4)

Here are the chapters: 1. Sleeping Beauty - the meaning and form of fairy tales 2. The Seven Sleepers - Saint's legend, local legend, fairy tale 3. The Dragon Slayer - the style of the fairy tale 4. The Uses of Fairy Tales - Cinderella, Hansel & Gretel, The White Snake. 5. The Little Earth-Cow - symbolism in the fairy tale 6. The Living Doll - local legend and fairy tale 7. Animal Stories - a glimpse of the tales of primitive peoples 8. Rapunzel - the fairy tale as representation of a maturation process 9. The Riddle Princess - cunning, jest, and sagacity 10. The Fairy-Tale Hero - the image of man in the fairy tale 11. The Miracle in Literature

Luthi's study of fairy tales focuses on simplistic and straightforward analysis of plot, structure, style and meaning. He generally refrains from manipulating the process or projecting any apparent bias onto the study, but he also fails to delve deeply into any complex themes that would be useful for sholarly research of fairy tales. Tales are analyzed independently without much consideration for thematic patterns (gender roles, class issues, social structures, etc.).

Luthi devotes a full chapter to "The Image of Man in the Fairy Tale," a study of "the hero" without balancing that study with any discussion of the heroine. He also does not discuss villains as a category. Luthi's text is a useful introduction to the study of fairy tales but does not supply any truly relevant information for a higher level of study and analysis. Better choices are Maria Tatar and Jack Zipes.

Working towards (at times) my independent Masters in Folklore, I find Luthi the BEST of all the world-views about Folk Studies generally. The Nature of Fairy Tales changes every Fairy Tale I've ever read and studied into a new way of thinking and experiencing this entire genre...Read Luthi: all other Folklorists are vital in their own rights, but they are Not Luthi....

This is a joy to read, concise and short, full of insight and authority yet never hard going. Luthi is a distinguished scholar, but keen to communicate his enthusiasm rather than any dry analysis. Scholars have analysed fairy tales according to many models, but this book becomes a primer for folklore theories too, as Luthi takes a tale or two in each chapter and examines them according to a different one of those approaches each time.

For anyone fascinated in adulthood by fairy tales, this really teases out the essence of the tales, their nature and appeal, and the various ways they resonate with us. 'It is quite likely that behind many features in our fairy tales there are old customs and beliefs; but in the context of the tale they have lost their original character. Fairy tales are experienced by their hearers and readers, not as realistic, but as symbolic poetry.' (chapter 4)

Here are the chapters: 1. Sleeping Beauty - the meaning and form of fairy tales 2. The Seven Sleepers - Saint's legend, local legend, fairy tale 3. The Dragon Slayer - the style of the fairy tale 4. The Uses of Fairy Tales - Cinderella, Hansel & Gretel, The White Snake. 5. The Little Earth-Cow - symbolism in the fairy tale 6. The Living Doll - local legend and fairy tale 7. Animal Stories - a glimpse of the tales of primitive peoples 8. Rapunzel - the fairy tale as representation of a maturation process 9. The Riddle Princess - cunning, jest, and sagacity 10. The Fairy-Tale Hero - the image of man in the fairy tale 11. The Miracle in Literature