Podcast
Questions and Answers
What term does the author suggest avoiding in English when referring to traditional tales?
What term does the author suggest avoiding in English when referring to traditional tales?
Which famous author wrote an essay titled 'On Fairy-Stories'?
Which famous author wrote an essay titled 'On Fairy-Stories'?
How does the Oxford Dictionary of English define 'fairy tale'?
How does the Oxford Dictionary of English define 'fairy tale'?
What term does the author prefer using instead of 'fairy story'?
What term does the author prefer using instead of 'fairy story'?
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How are tales classified by the author?
How are tales classified by the author?
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What does the author suggest is the difference between collected and composed tales?
What does the author suggest is the difference between collected and composed tales?
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What is one of the warnings about the definitions of 'folk tale' and 'fairy tale'?
What is one of the warnings about the definitions of 'folk tale' and 'fairy tale'?
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What complicates the distinction between folk tale and fairy tale?
What complicates the distinction between folk tale and fairy tale?
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What did the title 'Le cabinet des fées' refer to in the eighteenth century collection?
What did the title 'Le cabinet des fées' refer to in the eighteenth century collection?
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What did Carpenter and Prichard imply about the origin of some fairy stories?
What did Carpenter and Prichard imply about the origin of some fairy stories?
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Why is the distinction between folk tale, fairy tale, and related forms often blurry?
Why is the distinction between folk tale, fairy tale, and related forms often blurry?
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What sets apart a collector's influence on primary material according to the text?
What sets apart a collector's influence on primary material according to the text?
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Study Notes
Terminology in Traditional Tales
- "Fairy story" is a term the author suggests avoiding in English when referring to traditional tales.
- Preferred term is "traditional tale," which encompasses a wider range of narratives beyond just fairies.
Notable Essay on Fairy Stories
- J.R.R. Tolkien wrote an influential essay titled "On Fairy-Stories," exploring the nature and purpose of fairy tales.
Definition of 'Fairy Tale'
- The Oxford Dictionary of English defines a "fairy tale" as a children's story about magical and imaginary beings and lands.
Classification of Tales
- The author classifies tales broadly into categories, highlighting distinctions such as folk tales versus fairy tales.
Collected vs. Composed Tales
- Collected tales refer to stories that have been gathered from oral traditions, while composed tales are newly created narratives that follow traditional forms.
Warnings about Definitions
- There is a caution regarding simplistic definitions of "folk tale" and "fairy tale," as they can lead to misunderstandings of cultural narratives.
Complications in Distinction
- The distinction between folk tales and fairy tales becomes complicated due to overlapping themes, motifs, and narrative structures that can exist within both.
'Le cabinet des fées' Reference
- The title "Le cabinet des fées" refers to a collection from the eighteenth century that was focused on fairy tales and often blended with moral lessons.
Origin Implications by Carpenter and Prichard
- Carpenter and Prichard suggested that some fairy stories may have origins in historical events or figures, indicating a more complex background.
Blurriness in Distinction
- The overlap and shared characteristics between folk tales, fairy tales, and related narratives contribute to the often blurry distinctions among them.
Collector's Influence
- A collector's influence on primary material is significant, as their choices and interpretations shape the presentation and understanding of traditional tales.
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Description
Explore the working definitions of 'folk tale' and 'fairy tale' while considering the interchangeability and ambiguity often associated with these terms. Delve into the influence of literary treatment on these stories and how they have been passed on through word of mouth.
