What is a Fairy Tale?

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Since the first day of class I’ve felt that we haven’t been given a specific definition for fairy tales, so it’s been up to us to figure it out.  With that being said my definition of a fairy tale is a short story or tale with magical elements meant to spark imagination.

Before this class I would have added that fairy tales are meant for children as well but our discussions have lead me to believe otherwise. Obviously the Disney movies are aimed at children while the original Grimm stories have deeper meaning and cruder plot that would most definitely not sit well with young readers. For example, Brittney told us in her presentation about Sleeping Beauty/ Brier Rose that there is an analysis theory believing the whole story is about menstruation and coming of age for a women. How would a 4 year old girl possibly be able to understand that. I as an eighteen year old didn’t even think about that until it was brought to my attention.

I’ve always been a huge fan of the Disney version, Sleeping Beauty. The whole idea of a prince coming to save you from an evil curse with true love’s first kiss, I mean come on that’s good stuff; especially for a hopeless romantic like myself. And the guy is super strong and brave because he kills the evil dragon, total man candy. But then you read the original Brother’s Grimm version and all that prince comes and saves the day idea is gone and it all starts with the differences between the villain.

Maleficent, the most bad ass evil villain in all of Disney, isn’t even in the original story. Well she is, but she’s known only as the 13th fairy who curses Brier Rose. After the curse she’s just gone, doesn’t care about it anymore, no follow up on it, nothing. AND she doesn’t even turn into a dragon, LAME!!!! But this original story allowed the creators of the beloved Disney movie to use their imagination to expand beyond the pages and create a fantastic villain. And they continue to use this imagination to take the magic as far as making the 13th fairy a dragon with a grudge.

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The differences in the movie to the story really solidifies my definition of fairy tales since the story version is more aimed to an adult audience who must use their imagination and the use of curses shows magic. I would venture to say that Disney movies aren't even fairy tales anymore; they're more the child friendly additions. The movies we love would be impossible without the magic and imagination of the original Brother's Grimm Tales.