Blog #3

Fairy tales are magical. They are an integral part of our society that incorporates universal tropes and motifs that represent our core humanity. We can all recognize and identify fairy tales, but what exactly are they? How can we define them? At their core, fairy tales are simple stories centered around magic that use action, characters, and objects to symbolize a theme or legend.

There are many individual elements that play important roles in these types of stories. First of all, one must be able to recognize how fairy tales differ from different kinds of legends and myths. In saint and local legends tales center around a miracle brought about by God to astound and restore humanity's faith in the lord. In contrast, fairy tales are centered around magic. This magic is a constant element in the fairy tale world that is universally accepted and respected.

Another major aspect of fairy tales in their consistent formula. This strict formula of iconic expressions, action, and repetition can be found as the backbone of all fairy tales. All tales begin with "once upon a time" and they all end with "happily ever after." These classic bookends give the story a timeless and reliable feel. Fairy tales also keep their timeless simplicity by telling stories through action and avoiding overly artistic or detailed descriptions. Another crucial aspect of fairy tale structure is repetition. Scenes or actions are often repeated 3 times with little to no change. This repetition drives themes home and keeps the stories simple for children.

There are also distinct plot and character aspects that can be found in all fairy tales. The story lines usually are based off the isolation of characters. The heroes leave home, the villains are lonely and reclusive, family is lost or separated, and the characters are forced to overcome these difficulties. These characters are also written as contrasting extremes. The characters always represent good and evil with no in between. Characters, plot, and objects in the story are also symbolic. These symbols lead the reader to uncovering the deeper meanings of these tales. The perfect structure of these symbolic plots are usually tied up with precise and organized endings. The hero always returns at the exact right moment and the problem is always solved at the crucial moment. These plots run like clockwork and are tied in a bow at the end with a perfect happy ending.

Sources: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjVidbwz87kAhVL5uAKHbQHB_0QjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fboardgamegeek.com%2Fboardgame%2F211593%2Fonce-upon-time-fairy-tales&psig=AOvVaw1u23O7zjFsAR6YqTLadDFQ&ust=1568492451304087

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