“There's nothing like the real fairy tales to touch up the soul of old and young alike. Bruno Bettelheim notes that these fairy tales are useful in the development of children's psychology, or in laymen's terms--their souls. In his book, Uses of Enchantment, he speaks of the ways these tales give children satisfaction because the villains are dealt with brutally and without mercy. Children do not appreciate villains being treated humanely, and they instinctually want evil punished with all due violence. When you read the Cinderella story based on a French version, there's the glass slipper. When you read the original folk tale of Cinderella or the Little Ash Girl, one of the ugly sisters cuts off her toes to become the prince's wife in order to fit into the shoe. He notices the blood and calls it off. These tales are remarkable in teaching compassion, nonetheless, and though they focus mostly on princes as strong figures, Bettelheim argues that girls have no problem relating to the princes as boys may relate to the princesses. ”
“I read the book when I was five, and the beautiful illustrations made the very grimm events seem like odd dreams. Maybe that's how The Brothers Grimm wanted people to take their stories.”
“I don't think I'll ever outgrow fairytales.. It's one of the best ways to revisit one's childhood.”
