Tale and Fairy Tale in English and Italian
Consider
and discuss with your partner the
following questions and comments. You may find that you want to explore other
avenues.
1. Do you have a favourite fairy story?
Yes, I do. It is Sleeping Beauty.
2.
Why do you particulary like it?
It is full of mistery and magical
elements.
3. What are you afraid of? How is this reflected in fairy stories?
I am afraid of darkness and evil. Evil is reflected in fairy tales by
witebes, villains and sly animals.
4. What, in your opinion, are the essential ingredients of a fairy story?
The essential ingredients of a fairy story are good protagonist, a
villain, magic elements, happy ending and a moral.
5. Are the same ingredients needed for any story?
The essential ingredients are needed for any story, but the other
elements can change.
6. Some stories become part of the popular imagination. What are the
features that cause this to happen? "Alice in Wonderland" might be an
English example of one such story.
It happens because the message is linked with the social contexts. For
example "Alice in Wonderland" is an allegory of the Victorian
society.
7. Are fairy stories and popular stories culture specific? (i.e.: do
they belong to one particular
country or are they readily transferable?)
They are readily transferable.