As mentioned, fairytales originated with the purpose of dealing with everyday or even controversial issues among adults. Their rationale was to cover these topics, through an easily understood story that would instruct and educate people on a variety of moral issues. The entertainment value of the stories serves to draw in listeners, and then as they listen intently to the stories, the traditional proper moral values of the tales are instilled in them. People were, and still very much are, able to relate to the decisions and actions of the characters in the fairytales. Greed, lust, love, jealousy and more are all dealt with in the fairytales. While dealing with issues affecting people in everyday life, the tales are disguised by a thin veneer of metaphor and magic which removes them from the immediate world, making them universal in tone. What is so remarkable about the stories is that people from all age groups are able to identify with them, and are able to see the moral message of the story.
The fact that fairytales are now heard predominantly by young children, means that the stories’ moral views can influence children from an early age, at a time when they are in their most formative years. Thus they have a large impact on a child’s formation of their morals, and can make a real difference to our world. The values and morals of the fairytales are just as relevant now as they were in the time of their inception, if not more. Perhaps people who obsess over their appearance, and are concerned with their benefit alone should have a read of Snow White. The Wicked Queen in Snow White who forever gazes into her mirror warns of the dangers of vanity and selfishness. The Queen’s self absorption earns her nothing but an ill-timed death. The tale of Little Red Riding Hood warns of the dangers of disobedience, and wandering off into unknown territory. The threat of abduction, rape or worse is alive and well in our modern day society, and the dangers of being alone in unknown territory are very real. Disobedient children have been around for what must be an eternity, and it is through tales like that of Little Red Riding Hood that children learn to accept their parents’ advice. Over time, original fairytales have been modified and adapted for increasingly younger audiences, and in the case of Little Red Riding Hood a lot of the shock factor of the original story has been lost. Red Riding Hood meets an untimely demise as a result of her disobedient wandering, and it is a sign of the times that the ending has been so greatly changed. Children love scary stories, especially when they have the assurance that everything will turn out justly, as in fairytales.
The violence in the original stories is appropriate, as it frightens children into doing the right thing so as not to receive the same fate. Perhaps, the traditional stories should be brought back into circulation to more greatly affect children. Despite the tales being watered-down somewhat, they still maintain the same basic moral messages an are present in the originals and these messages and morals are urgently needed if we are to advance from the pessimistic, ‘dog-eat-dog’ world of today to a more honourable and just world of the future.
Fairytales’ relevance does not end with their ability to entertain or to instil moral values. They are inspirational stories, stories that give us hope and something to strive for: a truly just world. Not only do they have an impact on the lives and morals of people from all backgrounds, but they provide a dream for which we can all strive to reach. The fantasy of the truly just world presented in fairytales is most probably just that - a fantasy. However, by striving for that goal, endeavouring to live as is depicted in the fairytales, and doing what the stories show to be fair and morally right, we can certainly make an impact on the world for the better.
