Literary Genres (2): Fairy Tale

 

A fairy tale is a story, often intended for children, that features fanciful and wondrous characters such as elves, goblins, wizards, and even, but not necessarily, fairies. The term “fairy” tale seems to refer more to the fantastic and magical setting or magical influences within a story, rather than the presence of the character of a fairy within that story. Fairy tales are often traditional; many were passed down from story-teller to story-teller before being recorded in books.

Examples of Fable

• Snow White
• Cinderella
• Rip Van Winkle
• The Twelve Dancing Princesses
• Rumpelstiltskin
• Thumbelina

They are all fairy tales. They belong to no one and have been adapted and retold countless times.

Fairy tales do not need to be written down to be legitimate. Many tales that your parents or grandparents may have told you off the top of their heads are also fairy tales. For example, stories of the tooth fairy, the boogeyman, leprechauns and pots of gold or even Santa Claus.

If a story takes place in a magical land, with fantastical creatures who perform wondrous tasks, it is very likely a fairy tale.

Types of Fairy Tales

There are no rules that define fairy tales. Therefore, they are categorized by their elements, types, or motifs.

Here are some of those types and examples of stories that fit those types:

• Supernatural Adversaries: Hansel and Gretel, Red Riding Hood
• Supernatural or Enchanted Relatives: Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast
• Supernatural Helpers: Cinderella, Puss In Boots
• Magic Objects: The Magic Ring, Aladdin
• Supernatural Power or Knowledge: The White Snake, Ali Baba
• Religious Tales: The Three Green Twigs, The Flower of Lily-Lo
• Realistic Tales: The Falsely Accused Wife, Ariadne
• Tales of Fate: The Robber Bridegroom, Oedipus (Aarne-Thompson)