The beauty of fairy tales is that they can evoke magical thinking. The stories are never meant to be taken literally. They are meant to conjure emotions and perhaps unintentional insights into our own lives while escaping into another world. They are tales of the human condition that are relatable, whether it is trauma, love, heartbreak, needs, desires, or even imagination, just to site a few examples.
In many fairy tales, the main character is a hero or heroine. Typically, the hero/heroine possess attributes such as kindness, hard work, and humility. They are innocent yet believe in miracles. They are usually forced into their plight by unforeseen troubles but risk everything for a better life. This type of protagonist is different from modern day victors because they do not use strength and combat to win but, use innocence, decency and good will to succeed.
Villains always play a role whether through either a curse, a malicious witch, a conniving stepmother or perhaps a narcissistic king. Evil is always lurking. The darkness seeks to destroy the good and prevent happiness. These adversaries use their powers to create pain and chaos until the good fairy steps in to save the day. Many times, the curse is lifted because optimism, love, or ideals can withstand the challenge. Truth succeeds over lies. Goodness prevails over evil.
"Happily ever after", is a common ending in many fairy tales. The hero/heroine conquer the bad and begin to live an enchanted life full of beauty and wonder. However, some stories do not end on a positive note and serve as cautionary tales. Lewis Carol, who wrote Alice in Wonderland, famously wrote, “If you drink much from a bottle marked 'poison' it is certain to disagree with you sooner or later.” These types of fables tend to deal with social taboos with a focus on teaching life lessons rather than moral lessons.
I know I certainly prefer the tales of wonder where love wins. Unfortunately, my own story did not have the happy ending I thought I wanted. I suppose that is the beauty of stories, mine is not over. I am only in the middle of the saga. Maybe my marriage ended how and when it was meant to end so I could experience the rest of my life relishing in, the awe of God, the thrill of fascinating exploits, and the beauty of magical thinking.
Commenti