Fairy Tales and Society

This scholarly collection examines how fairy tales function as cultural mirrors, unpacking the social values embedded in these timeless stories through historical, folkloristic, and psychoanalytical lenses. The essays explore how these narratives, with their archetypal characters and predictable situations, have served as powerful vehicles for transmitting societal norms across generations. The analysis reveals that fairy tales do far more than entertain; they codify and reinforce the fundamental principles of the communities that tell them. This book provides a multi-faceted academic framework for understanding the deep social mechanics at work in these familiar tales.

The international scholars contributing to this volume demonstrate how fairy tales operate as a paradigm for both comprehending social structures and shaping individual behavior. Readers with an interest in cultural studies, literary theory, or folklore will find particularly compelling insights into how these deceptively simple stories carry complex ideological weight. The collection stands out for its interdisciplinary approach, connecting the dots between childhood stories and adult social realities. This is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the profound cultural work performed by the fairy tales we often take for granted.