Just a few comments on fairy tales from a religious perspective, following up on yesterday’s post on the recent fairy tale trend in film and television (https://intothedance.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/fairy-tales-and-the-re-enchantment-of-the-world/).
From philosophers to historians, from anthropologists to theologians, from contemporary psychologists to Christian apologists, many will agree that pre-modern man’s peopling of the world with elves, fairies, and other such creatures was an expression of the innate human desire for love — that is, for belonging, for connection, for unity.
The Christian must surely say that this speaks of some dim memory of Eden, of that close and easy friendship man enjoyed with God at the beginning, and which God — in spite of Original Sin — has never ceased to extend to wayward humankind through His Providence.
As St. Paul said to the Gentiles at Lystra:
In past generations (God) allowed all Gentiles to go their own ways; yet, in bestowing his goodness, he did not leave himself without witness, for he gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filled you with nourishment and gladness for your hearts. (Acts 14:16-17)
But nature also speaks, in its own way, of God’s promise of redemption to our first parents. Perhaps that is why the fairy tales nature has inspired in the human heart typically end with “happily ever after,” a phrase that betokens the ultimate victory of good over evil.
Recommended reading on this subject:
(Chapter: “The Weight of Glory”)
(Chapter: “The Ethics of Elfland”)
(This book alludes to fairy tales/mythology within a broader framework, one which is psychological rather than religious. Still, I found it to be highly useful. But I must warn you that it contains some suggested mental exercises that I do not endorse, and would advise readers to avoid)
Top image from Wikipedia. Remaining images from http://www.amazon.com.
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