Behind the Fairy Tales

The Dark Origins of Childhood Stories.

“1. Greetings, 42. It is likely that you associate fairy tales with a more innocent and idyllic period of your life. Perhaps your parents would read these stories to you while you were cozily nestled under your duvet, clad in paisley pajamas, dreaming of distant lands where wicked stepmothers lurked, little girls donned red riding hoods, and magic beans represented wise investments. These tales depicted a world where malevolent characters faced their just deserts, and virtuous individuals enjoyed everlasting happiness. However, what your five-year-old self may not have realized is that the narratives you were presented with were significantly sanitized versions of their original forms. I do not refer to minor edits; rather, these stories were thoroughly cleansed, akin to being scrubbed with a wire brush and bleach. In their unaltered, now largely forgotten states, many fairy tales were, in fact, narratives rife with themes of murder, cannibalism, sexual violence, dismemberment, and incest, often interspersed with elements of child abuse, racism, and gratuitous brutality. Envision Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as if directed by Quentin Tarantino following a tumultuous breakup, and you will grasp the essence of what I mean—hardly suitable bedtime stories for young children. These fairy tales would have likely shocked even the most whimsical of fairies. Although the term "fairy tale" was introduced in the late 17th century, the origins of these stories extend far back in both oral and written traditions, with some believed to be as much as 6,000 years old. Fairy tales are deeply ingrained in various cultures, serving as master narratives designed to influence societal beliefs and values while shaping behavior. They frequently embody cultural, spiritual, and moral codes and often draw inspiration from real events. Moreover, these tales are echoed across different cultures worldwide. For example, the story of Cinderella is not exclusive to Europe; a variant exists in the West Indies, where it is not a pumpkin that transforms into a carriage, but rather breadfruit. In ancient China, the tale is thought to date back to the 9th century, recounting how a servant girl loses a slipper made of gold. The oldest known version of the Cinderella folk tale is attributed to a specific historical context.