Fairy Tales 2010

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Darton v. Bettleheim

In reviewing both works and authors there seems to be a link for me that is not as evident as their differences. They differ in that Bettleheim does have an extensive background it seems in psychoanalysis which aides in his reasoning of fairy tales and Darton seems to use holistic information that is around him to come to a conclusion of fairy tales. The psychoanalysis used by Bettleheim leads him to state that every person goes through stages that can be aided by the reading of fairy tales which in turn would help in a progression through these stages in a healthy manor. The symbolism of fairy tales being a way to grow for many in Bettleheim's belief alludes to symbols in fairy tales being important. On the contrary Darton does not look into the symbolism of fairy tales nor finds the symbols and their meanings important. Rather than analyzing in that manner Darton focuses on the people in which seemed to be the representative of these works. He feels that the people being represented are what is most valued in fairy tales because of the meaning or time frame giving light to a larger overview of what these tales are in fact discussing.
The similarity I see between the two aside from critically looking at fairy tales is they both are analyzing the effects fairy tales have on all of us. Whether it is to go through a stage as Bettleheim suggests or even finding what the fairy tale is trying to uncover, there is still a focus on how we were, how we are or how we are going to be affected. I feel that they have an underlying comparison which is not too evident but interesting nevertheless.

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