Interpretation of Fairy Tales free essay sample

This essay examines Bengt Holbeks model of classifying and interpreting the worlds fairy tales. After examining the basic elements of Holbeks system, the writer applies them to several fairy tales about giants to see how well it works on the ground. Holbeks system is based on seven rules, rather like algorithms that he used to correlate the various symbolic expressions within fairy tales to the corresponding (real world) emotional expressions, focusing on three thematic opposition: child versus adult, male versus female and low versus high. From the paper: Holbeks system of structural oppositions define the three categories of crises which occur in fairy tales, all of which are in turn real or possible events in the storytelling community, which may include such relatively minor trauma as adolescent rebellion and such terrible ones as incest (Holbek 416 418). Holbek believed that this psychological delving of fairy tales was in no way inappropriate, arguing that every element [in a fairy tale] may be read as pertaining to real life (Holbek 439. We will write a custom essay sample on Interpretation of Fairy Tales or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page For Holbek, every ogre, fairy, sprite and giant was merely the representation of a real person (Holbek 418).