Why Fairy Tales Stick : The Evolution and Relevance of a Genre

In his latest book, fairy tales expert Jack Zipes explores the question of why some fairy tales "work" and others don't, why the fairy tale is uniquely capable of getting under the skin of culture and staying there. Why, in other words, fairy tales "stick." Long an advocate of the fairy tale as a serious genre with wide social and cultural ramifications, Jack Zipes here makes his strongest case for the idea of the fairy tale not just as a collection of stories for children but a profoundly important genre. Why Fairy Tales Stick contains two chapters on the history and theory of the genre, followed by case studies of famous tales (including Cinderella, Snow White, and Bluebeard), followed by a summary chapter on the problematic nature of traditional storytelling in the twenty-first century. In his latest book, fairy tales expert Jack Zipes takes on the question of why some fairy tales "work" and others don't, why the fairy tale is uniquely capable of getting under the skin of culture and staying there. Why, in other words, fairy tales "stick." Long an advocate of the fairy tale as a serious genre with wide social and cultural ramifications, Jack Zipes here makes his strongest case for the idea of the fairy tale not just as a collection of stories for children but a profoundly important genre. Why Fairy Tales Stick introduces new critical approaches to the study of classical fairy tales such as "Cinderella," "Snow White, "Beauty and the Beast," and "Hansel and Gretel" in an effort to understand how and why fairy tales have evolved over the last three hundred years and remained so relevant in our lives. Why culture has favored certain fairy tales may not be simply a question of ideology - tales reinforcing a societal status quo - but also deeply related to issues of genetics, memetics, linguistics, and evolution. Just as we as a species have evolved, Zipes argues, so has the oral folk tale been transformed as literary fairy tale to assist us in surviving and adapting to our environment Explores The Question Of Why Some Fairy Tales ''work'' And Others Don't, Why The Fairy Tale Is Capable Of Getting Under The Skin Of Culture And Staying There. This Book Looks At Fairy Tale As A Serious Genre With Wide Social And Cultural Ramifications. It Contains The History And Theory Of The Genre, Followed By Case Studies Of Famous Tales. Preface -- 1. Toward A Theory Of The Fairy Tale As Literary Genre -- 2. The Evolution And Dissemination Of The Classical Fairy Tale -- 3. Once Upon A Time In The Future: The Relevance Of Fairy Tales -- 4. The Moral Strains Of Fairy Tales And Fantasy -- 5. The Male Key To Bluebeard's Secret -- 6. Hansel And Gretel: On Translating Abandonment, Fear, And Hunger -- 7. To Be Or Not To Be Eaten: The Survival Of Traditional Storytelling. Jack Zipes. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 263-301) And Index. Includes Filmography: P. 301-306. Jack Zipes explores the question of why some fairy tales 'work' and others don't, why the fairy tale is capable of getting under the skin of culture and staying there. This book looks at fairy tale as a serious genre with wide social and cultural ramifications