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CASD 1717 – Fall 2024

How Do We See Fairy Tales Today?

In this module, you’ve read, listened to, or watched a number of fairy tales as they were collected, recorded, written, and shaped by some of the people most associated with fairy tales. Some may have come from oral tales and then shifted to literary versions. These aren’t so much the “original” tales but versions that were recorded that have had lasting staying power in this textual form. Most of these stories were written to be shared with adults and children. But fairy tales are constantly shifting and changing. They permeate our culture. Some stick around more than others.

Read

Jack Zipes is one of the most important scholars in fairy tales and children’s literature. Please read the following chapter from one of his many books on the subject.

“What Makes a Repulsive Frog so Appealing: Applying Memetics to Folk and Fairy Tales” Chapter 5 from Relentless Progress: The Reconfiguration of Children’s Literature, Fairy Tales, and Storytelling by Jack Zipes.

Get from the Brooklyn Library

 You will need your Brooklyn College library access for this chapter. If the above link doesn’t work directly, you can search for the book title in the main library catalog.

What do you think Zipes’ argument is? What is he trying to say in this article and how is he supporting that? Why do you think some tales have stuck with us more than others?

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Go on to Memes

Comments

20 responses to “How do we see fairy tales today?”

  1. Naurah Romulus Avatar
    Naurah Romulus

    Zipes argues that some fairy tales, like “The Frog Prince,” stick with us because they deal with themes that everyone can relate to, especially about relationships and how people choose partners. He explains that these stories survive because they adapt to changes in culture and reflect things people care about, like love, power, and personal growth. I think some tales last because they teach important lessons and continue to connect with people, which is why they are still popular today.

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  2. Mahnoor Avatar
    Mahnoor

    Zines argues how the fairytales are connected to culture and that they help depict the norms that we have set as a society. They are connected to real things that we experience but are told through a fictional lens. In the article, he talks about stories and how they are told in regards to events during the time that may have historical or cultural importance. Overall, I think that some fairytales have stuck longer than others because the issues that they discuss have been relevant for a long period of time. Essentially, they have universal themes that all people can relate to. 

    Reply
    1. Selina Chen Avatar
      Selina Chen

      I agree with what you said regarding why some fairytales have stuck longer than others. niversal themes in a fairytale

      Reply
      1. Selina Chen Avatar
        Selina Chen

        Sorry I posted my comment without finishing it but to continue, I feel like universal themes in a fairytale are usually adjusted over time for people to relate to. That way it can continue to stay relevant to the people or audiences that’s reading them.

        Reply
  3. Nitzan Naim Avatar
    Nitzan Naim

    The argument is that the frog prince theme of mating captures something that is deeply rooted in human nature, and therefore, it is still relevant today. Zipes supports his argument that this story has been retold and reshaped across time and cultures to adjust to each audience; thus, this tale still sticks with us. According to him, it is not just stuck. He argues some tales we spread like viruses, and this is one of them. I definitely agree with his argument. For a tale to stick through time and culture, it must have a universal theme and be reshaped and adjusted over time to stay relevant.

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    1. Ariana Loyfman Avatar
      Ariana Loyfman

      I agree with you that in order for a tale to stick through culture and time it should stay relevant through a universal theme that humans can relate to regardless of the time period, their culture, or age. Tales with relevant themes can become classics that are never forgotten because they reach a lot of people that can relate to it.

      Reply
  4. Anthea longville Avatar
    Anthea longville

    Zipes argue that the reason these changes are so appealing is because they are a reflection of society values around transformation, inner worth and the possibility of change. Since the frog was seen as repulsive it becomes attractive once he reveals his true nature between appearance and reality. Zipes supports it because it usually carries social messages and it shows how the narrative is use to communicate moral lessons and truths. Some tales have stuck with us more than others because of blending of themes, cultural logic and storytelling strategies.

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    1. Michelle Cortes Rodriguez Avatar
      Michelle Cortes Rodriguez

      I agree with you that some tales stick with us because the themes, cultural logic and storytelling strategies. These three things grabs the attention and entertainment.

      Reply
  5. Anifat Abumislimova Avatar
    Anifat Abumislimova

    Zipes’ argument about fairy tales like “The Frog Prince” stuck with us because they connected people through retelling stories in different cultures and times, and besides that, they also taught us important lessons.

    Reply
    1. Amy Khait Avatar
      Amy Khait

      I agree that the story stuck with us through teaching us important lessons, which are felt universally.

      Reply
  6. Sofia Buttaro Avatar
    Sofia Buttaro

    According to Jack Zipes’ argument in chapter 5 of “What Makes a Repulsive Frog so Appealing: Applying Memetics to Folk and Fairy Tales,” some fairy tales thrive because they have a cultural repetition that is similar to memes and change over time to suit society norms. According to Zipes, the reason these stories survive is that they speak to common human fears and experiences, which makes them memorable to different generations. He looks at how recurrent themes like evolution are used to support this. He draws attention to the dynamic role that fairy tales play, in addition to providing enjoyment.

    Reply
  7. Brittany Giler Avatar
    Brittany Giler

    Jack Zipes likely argues that it depends on their ability to resonate with contemporary audiences. Tales that address timeless themes and can be adapted to new cultural contexts are more likely to survive and be passed down through generations. Additionally, the popularity of certain tales may be influenced by factors such as cultural trends, literary adaptations, and commercialization.

    Reply
    1. Shiraz Biggie Avatar
      Shiraz Biggie

      Likely argues? Is this the argument you got from the reading? What does he have to say about the Frog Prince specifically?

      Reply
  8. Amna Syeda Avatar
    Amna Syeda

    Zipes argues that fairy tales last because they adapt over time while keeping important themes. Characters like the “repulsive frog” stay appealing due to relatable struggles. Some tales stick with us because they deal with universal experiences and are easy to retell.

    Reply
    1. Amy Khait Avatar
      Amy Khait

      I agree that fairytales last due to relatable themes such as struggles, that are felt universally.

      Reply
  9. Tory Sen Avatar
    Tory Sen

    According to Zipes, “The Frog Prince” and other fairy tales frequently deal with issues of interpersonal interaction and human development. Stories like this teach us valuable lessons and show us how to change with the times. The frog prince represents courting, an ancient concept that has spread across many cultures. Some stories are like bugs; they need a common theme and changes to stay up-to-date. which is a deeply rooted idea that has been around for a long time and in many countries.

    Reply
  10. Amy Khait Avatar
    Amy Khait

    According to Zipes, “The Frog Prince” deals with issues of transformation and the possibilities of change. The reason that these type of fairytales continue to thrive is because they deal with common human emotions such as fear, as well as common universal experiences. The characters deal with relatable struggles that are felt by different cultures.

    Reply
  11. Victoria Lucenti Avatar
    Victoria Lucenti

    I think Zipes argument is that due to many fairy tales, such as “The Frog Prince” and other popular tales and stories have remained consistent throughout generational societies is because of the experiences the readers and audience can connect and relate to. Some experiences can consist of culture, life and personal experiences, interests, and more common themes that help tales continue to stay “consistent” while being retold throughout storytelling, read alouds, inspired by variations, and so on. Zipes overall argument focuses on how these fairy tales and stories have fit a type of “standards” within generational societies, but with common themes, this allows these types of stories and fairy tales to continue to be read to, especially within home life, some may be due to cultural relations to a book, and schools that are able to fit these common themes into a literary learning curriculum. I personally agree with Zipes argument, and I think some tales have stuck with us more than others due to the common themes and characteristics within plots and characters amongst these tales and stories. These common themes have been able to fit into so many societies throughout time, especially due to common interests, how the audience can connect to the characters, their experiences, and the overall theme of a tale or story.

    Reply
  12. Kaylee Pontone Avatar
    Kaylee Pontone

    He’s talking about how stories, over time, may change to keep relevance. I think this is an important discussion as oftentimes we talk about how we write stories down to remember them/not forget them. As audiences change, so do the stories, and ultimately what matters is that the core of the story remains, leaving behind the impression it left with the original audience.

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  13. Jaylyn Calles Avatar
    Jaylyn Calles

    Zipes argument is stories stick with us because they’re relatable. He is saying in this article that over time things can be change but the principles and morals sometimes remain the same. Some tales have stuck with us more than others depends on how much we as individuals relate to the story or the characters in the movies or stories.

    Reply

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