Different Dimensions of Fairy Tales of the East and the West A Comparative Study

Abstract

This thesis attempts a comparative study of Fairy Tales of the West and the East. For newlinethe West, H.W.Dulcken s translated version of Hans Christian Andersen s fairy tales, have newlinebeen taken and for the East, Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs is taken up. These Indian newlineTales were originally written in Joseph Jacob s compilation of fairy tales from various newlineregions translated into English, are chosen. This thesis attempts a comparative study of select newlinetales from both, to point out the commonalities found in the fairy tales of the west and east, in newlinespite of the cultural differences and social set up. newlineChapter I of the thesis deals with growth and development of children s literature, and newlinealso gives a broad definition of children s literature. It makes a brief survey of children s newlineliterature, history of children s literature, enumerating the features of children s literature newlineincluding folktales, fairy tales and the place of fairy tales. It establishes the place of fairy tales newlinein children s literature, highlighting the advantages of fairy tales. It also discusses the aim and newlineusefulness of comparative study. newlineChapter II entitled Weaving Ethics into Life makes a detailed study and examination newlineof the moral, philosophical and spiritual values expounded through fairy tales. Generally, all newlinestories have some moral or the other, either direct or indirect. These values are embedded in newlinethe tales, without giving the impression that they are preaching. Values are highlighted with newlinesuitable examples through virtues and vices, virtues telling us what to do in life and vices, newlinewhat not to do. Both the East and the West, are generally in agreement in this matter. Only newlinein the concept of death, the east and west differs. newlineiv newlineChapter III entitled Fairy Tales Not Her Story takes up womanistic approach to fairy newlinetales. It points out the criticisms leveled against fairy tales, especially about gender newlineindifference, gender inequality, polarization of characters and stereotype of characters. newlineGenerally, women play a passive role in fairy tales meekly accepting their fate and waiting newlinefor the hero to rescue them in times of trouble. The subordination of females to males is newlineobvious in many fairy tales. The male plays the dominant role, whereas the heroine is always newlinesidelined. Of course, there are some rare exceptions. Over all, fairy tales do not seem to do newlinejustice to women characters. This chapter also points out the new trend in the fairy tales. The newlinefractured fairy tales, which tinker with the characters and reverse the roles depicted in the old newlinefairy tales, heralding a new beginning. newlineChapter IV, From the Collective Unconscious, explores the various archetypes found newlinein fairy tales, elements cutting across cultures, nations, traditions and civilizations. This newlinechapter, using the theories of Frazer, Jung and Frye culls out the major archetypes from the newlinefairy tales chosen for the study. newlineChapter V entitled In Harmony with Nature analyses the fairy tales from Ecocritical newlineangle, using Deep Ecology Movement, Gaia theory and Butterfly effect. It highlights the newlineInterconnectedness, Interdependence and Interrelationship of human beings and the various newlineaspects of nature found in fairy tales. As such, hurting one aspect of this universe is hurting newlineoneself. This unified viewpoint is reflected in the fairy tales. Nature, in the form of forests, newlineflowers, trees and plants and animals, birds and insects, plays an enchanting and enlightening newlinerole in many of the fairy tales. Fairy tales inform children in an unobtrusive way the link newlinebetween man and nature. newlinev newlineChapter VI, Conclusion takes up for analysis the technical aspects like narratology, newlineuse of foreign words, location or setting in fairy tales. The first half of this chapter focuses on newlinestyle, while the second half sums up the different dimensions of the fairy tales. This chapter newlinealso studies fairy tales from three perspectives: the children s perspective, the adult s newlineperspective, and the critic s perspective. This study reveals the timelessness, the greatness, newlinethe educative, moral, philosophical and ecological values found in fairy tales and how they newlinecharm and entertain children, elevate and uplift their thinking. Fairy tales have something to newlineoffer to every reader and it gives different insights when read at different stages of life. newlineHence, it retains its perennial interest and remains new and refreshing forever. newline