Fairy TalesFairy Tales

and how to themand how to themfracture

fracture

Who Said It?Who Said It? ““If you want your children to be If you want your children to be

intelligent, intelligent, read them fairy read them fairy tales.tales. If you want them to be If you want them to be more intelligent, more intelligent, read them read them

more fairy talesmore fairy tales. . When I examine myself and my When I examine myself and my

methods of thought, I come to methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the the conclusion that the gift of gift of

fantasyfantasy has meant more to me has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, than any talent for abstract,

positive thinking.”positive thinking.”~ Albert Einstein 1879-1955

What are fairy tales?What are fairy tales?

To many the word fairytale may conjure up To many the word fairytale may conjure up images such as Cinderella, Little Red images such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, and Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, and others. others.

However, fairytales were not always for However, fairytales were not always for children.children.

What are fairy tales?What are fairy tales?

Back when these stories were first told Back when these stories were first told around campfires, in taverns, and in some around campfires, in taverns, and in some medieval villages, there were very few kids medieval villages, there were very few kids present.present.

The parables were often violent in nature The parables were often violent in nature and served as a source of entertainment and served as a source of entertainment for peasants after a long day’s work. for peasants after a long day’s work.

What are fairy tales?What are fairy tales?

As their popularity spread, fairy tales came to As their popularity spread, fairy tales came to have a major influence on children’s have a major influence on children’s literature. literature.

They have also become a heavy influence in They have also become a heavy influence in movies, sitcoms, and advertisements as they movies, sitcoms, and advertisements as they are so popular and widely known.are so popular and widely known.

DefinitionDefinition

A A fairy talefairy tale is a type of short is a type of short narrative that typically narrative that typically features folkloric characters, features folkloric characters, such as fairies, goblins, such as fairies, goblins, elves, trolls, dwarves, giants elves, trolls, dwarves, giants or gnomes, and usually or gnomes, and usually magic or enchantments. magic or enchantments.

However, only a small However, only a small number of the stories refer to number of the stories refer to fairies.fairies.

DefinitionDefinition

Fairy tales are part of the oral tradition of Fairy tales are part of the oral tradition of literature.literature.

They are old stories that tell of man’s They are old stories that tell of man’s problems, fears, and hopes. problems, fears, and hopes.

What makes a fairy tale different from folklore, What makes a fairy tale different from folklore, fables, and tall tales is its use of fantasy and fables, and tall tales is its use of fantasy and magic.magic.

Often fairy tales involve ordinary people who haveexperiences of a supernatural kind and are affected by charms, disguises, spells, or other fantastic occurrences.

In The Sleeping Beauty, a princess is shut up by enchantment in a castle and sleeps for 100 years; the thick wood that grows up around the castle is penetrated by a prince who awakens the princess with a kiss.

OriginsOrigins

Most modern versions of fairy tales come Most modern versions of fairy tales come from three sources: from three sources: The Grimm Brothers from Germany The Grimm Brothers from Germany Hans Christian Anderson from Denmark Hans Christian Anderson from Denmark Frenchman Charles Perrault, the collector of Frenchman Charles Perrault, the collector of

the "Mother Goose" tales.the "Mother Goose" tales.

...the appeal and popularity of the tales, continue to

entertain us and we live happily ever after.

Although these authors lived long ago and far away...

Us--United States

Grimm Brothers--Germany

Perrault--France

Andersen--Denmark

Elements of a Fairy TaleElements of a Fairy Tale1.1. Does NOT need to include Does NOT need to include

fairies. fairies.

2.2. Set in the past—usually Set in the past—usually significantly long ago. significantly long ago.

3.3. Include magic, fantasy, Include magic, fantasy, supernatural, or make-believe supernatural, or make-believe aspects.aspects.

4.4. May contain characters such as May contain characters such as fairies, witches, elves, pixies, fairies, witches, elves, pixies, magicians, fairy godparents, magicians, fairy godparents, etc.etc.

5.5. Good characters vs. evil Good characters vs. evil characters.characters.

6.6. May include objects, May include objects, people, or events in threes.people, or events in threes.

7.7. Focus the plot on a Focus the plot on a

problem or conflict that problem or conflict that needs to be solved. needs to be solved.

8.8. Modern versions often Modern versions often have happy endingshave happy endings

9.9. Usually teach a lesson or Usually teach a lesson or demonstrate values demonstrate values important to the culture. important to the culture.

Popular Fairy TalesPopular Fairy Tales

Sleeping BeautySleeping Beauty CinderellaCinderella RapunzelRapunzel Jack and the Jack and the

BeanstalkBeanstalk Snow WhiteSnow White Beauty and the BeastBeauty and the Beast The Frog PrinceThe Frog Prince Red Riding HoodRed Riding Hood

Hansel and GretelHansel and Gretel RumpelstiltskinRumpelstiltskin Snow QueenSnow Queen ThumbelinaThumbelina The Emperor’s New The Emperor’s New

ClothesClothes Aladdin and the Aladdin and the

Wonderful LampWonderful Lamp

Fractured Fairy Tales When authors modernize or

change one or more of the elements of the story, the story is called a fractured

fairy tale.

AssignmentAssignment

Use familiar characters, plots, and Use familiar characters, plots, and settings from traditional fairy tales settings from traditional fairy tales to create “fractured” versions.to create “fractured” versions.

Change the…Change the…

SettingSetting Characters Characters Point of ViewPoint of View Time PeriodTime Period Magic ElementsMagic Elements

You could have characters from different You could have characters from different stories meet. stories meet.

CriteriaCriteria Must be in true fairy tale formMust be in true fairy tale form You may alter the storylineYou may alter the storyline You may add an unexpected twistYou may add an unexpected twist You may create a contemporaryYou may create a contemporary (modern) version(modern) version All elements of a story must be All elements of a story must be

present present As always it must be school As always it must be school

appropriate appropriate

StepsSteps Select a fairy tale. Read the original version. Identify elements of a story within. Map

these out on work sheet. Brainstorm your ideas for the new

story. Create your fractured fairy tale. Use computer for final copy.

Generate IdeasGenerate Ideas

Let’s look at some fractured fairy Let’s look at some fractured fairy tales present in advertisements, tales present in advertisements, sitcoms, songs, and movies to sitcoms, songs, and movies to get your brain in creative get your brain in creative thinking mode! thinking mode!

Write down any ideas that Write down any ideas that come into your mind as you come into your mind as you watch and listen.watch and listen.

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Sitcoms/CartoonsSitcoms/Cartoons

Once Upon a Time Once Upon a Time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rga4rp4j5TY

Simpsons Simpsons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-aIDphNRWc

MusicMusic

Fairy Tale http://www.youtube.com/watch?Fairy Tale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgSeF9IBc1M&feature=related v=SgSeF9IBc1M&feature=related

Little Red Riding Hood Little Red Riding Hood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFj-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFj-oQQE5W4&feature=related oQQE5W4&feature=related

MoviesMovies Shrek http://www.youtube.com/watch?Shrek http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=JnM-_3K_tzw&feature=related v=JnM-_3K_tzw&feature=related Ella Enchanted Ella Enchanted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myEbJ8NCWAo v=myEbJ8NCWAo

Beastly http://www.youtube.com/watch?Beastly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Neo6W1f7hyY&feature=relmfu v=Neo6W1f7hyY&feature=relmfu

Snow White and the Huntsman Snow White and the Huntsman http://www.youtube.com/user/clevverTV?http://www.youtube.com/user/clevverTV?v=SQaZRqlezG4&feature=pyv v=SQaZRqlezG4&feature=pyv

Magic or Magic or EnchantmentEnchantment