There is an important side to fairy tales which is often overlooked. Although I work within the European paradigm, what I will explore here is relevant to all cultures, as fairy tales exist universally among all people worldwide.
True fairy tales, not stories written solely by one author, but rather stories that were developed collectively over generations among language groups and cultures, have encoded in them important keys to understanding our own psyches.
I am the only folklore writer willing to take a stand for the cultural heritage I study. I could use your support. https://t.co/CCgZZvqQUm pic.twitter.com/Z0fWLYGzqz
— Volkish Folklorist (@CarolynEmerick) May 15, 2017
Myth, Cultural Identity, and the Individual
We’ve been speaking a great deal lately about Carl Jung’s theories on archetypes and the collective unconscious in myth.
He also spoke about symbols, and how all of these things manifest in our own dreams and desires even if unconsciously.
Bruno Bettelheim was a child psychologist who worked with children who had behavioral problems due to unfortunate experiences in life.
His insights are truly astounding not only for their intrinsic psychological value, but for what can be extrapolated about our society today.
I was astounded to see him mention a few issues that have evaporated from the general social discourse today, but which I think are crucial to obtaining healthy self-identities as well as thriving and functional cultural societies.
In…