Fables and Fairy Tales: A Comparative Study
Fables: Didactic Stories with a Moral
Definition and Purpose
A fable is a short story with a didactic purpose, belonging to the didactic literary genre. Often confused with fairy tales, fables differ in their explicit moral. While fairy tales primarily entertain, fables aim to teach a lesson.
Structure
- Title: Often features the protagonists and hints at the moral.
- Body: Presents a brief anecdote, usually with two characters to highlight a contrast. Animals and personified objects are common protagonists.
- Moral: The concluding lesson or abstraction derived from the anecdote.
History and Evolution
Fables can be written in prose or verse. The genre originated in ancient Greece with Aesop (e.g., “The Grasshopper and the Ant”), often used to criticize societal issues indirectly. Fables declined in the 20th century with the rise of “art for art’s sake,” but have seen a resurgence in education for teaching values.
Fairy Tales: Enchanting Narratives
Andersen’s Fairy Tales
Hans Christian Andersen, a 19th-century Danish author, created original fairy tales, unlike Perrault and the Brothers Grimm who collected folk tales. Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling” exemplifies his unique approach.
Characteristics of Andersen’s Tales
- Natural Wonder: Magic is inherent in nature, not from external objects.
- Nordic Influence: Often lack a clear good vs. evil dichotomy.
- Ambiguous Endings: Happy endings are subjective and open to interpretation.
- Strong Female Presence: Women play significant roles, sometimes even as sole protagonists.
- Religious Feeling: Explores the tension between feeling and reason.
- Appreciation of Nature: Reflects a poetic and Nordic view of nature.
Modern Fairy Tales
Definition and Characteristics
Modern fairy tales are written by specific authors for children, also known as author tales.
Comparison with Traditional Tales
- Authorship and Audience: Modern tales have known authors and are specifically written for children.
- Form of Expression: Traditional tales are oral, while modern tales are written and often illustrated.
- Purpose: Traditional tales convey universal values, while modern tales may reflect individual authorial ideologies.
- Themes: Modern tales address contemporary issues relevant to children’s lives.
- Symbolism: Modern tales use less symbolism than traditional tales.
- Longevity: Modern tales are often more ephemeral due to their specific themes.
- Endings: Modern tales often have open endings, unlike the closed endings of traditional tales.
Continuity and Renewal
Modern fairy tales continue the tradition while adapting to contemporary themes and characters. They represent a renewal rather than a radical break from traditional tales.
Poetry in Children’s Literature
Poetry is another genre in children’s literature, though less prevalent than prose. Traditional poetry includes oral poems, songs, and riddles. Modern children’s poetry is often written by authors like Garcia Lorca and Alberti, with selections tailored for young audiences. Key characteristics include simplicity, rhythm, and memorability.