For the longest time, I avoided fairy tale re-tellings. Even when an author I like came out with a fairy tale re-telling, it would take a long time before I’d finally read it. And when I read the book, I read it mostly because of the author. Do I still feel this way? Truthfully? Yes and no.
Fairy tales haven’t totally won me over. My two big problems are: I’m not into the passive princess waiting around for a prince to save her. And I’m not into the ‘true love’s kiss’ or we don’t know each other, but you’ve come into my life and rescued me and now we’ll live happily ever after.
But fairy tales are still around centuries later. They exist in many cultures around the world, and are still beloved. Granted, many fairy tales have very dark origin stories that have undergone a gentling and softening process. But what makes them so enduring? Beneath the superficial romance, fairy tales do have deeper universal themes society aligns with.
Consider a beautiful girl who’s lost everything, becomes an orphan and a slave. Now, she has to fight to survive. Her kindness gains her allies and help to overcome those who oppress her. This is a bit of an underdog story, but also Cinderella.
There are themes of survival, strength, and overcoming impossible odds all while being sweet and nice. There are themes of friendship and teamwork where the main character overcomes their obstacles because of their supportive network. Snow White needed the kind huntsman who spared her life and the seven dwarves. Beauty needed the enchanted characters in the Beast’s castle.
And fairy tales satisfy with their promised Happily Ever After. Let’s be honest, we like a book to end on a positive note. We like to close the cover and know that everything will be okay with the Main Character and they’ve managed to ‘save the day’.
So let me ask, what’s your favorite fairy tale? Or what fairy tale theme do you gravitate towards?
K. M. Wray 