Classical Ideals

Classical Ideals

Share this post

Classical Ideals
Classical Ideals
Why Fairy Tales Matter
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Why Fairy Tales Matter

Megha Lillywhite's avatar
Megha Lillywhite
Feb 13, 2024
∙ Paid
24

Share this post

Classical Ideals
Classical Ideals
Why Fairy Tales Matter
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
1
3
Share

Our culture tends to say that fairy tales are for children. Pragmatic people don’t view fairy tales as anything other than escapism or coddling for children that in fact, distracts them from learning about “the real world”. However, as you may suspect, I wholeheartedly disagree. Fairy tales are very important. When I initially embarked on explaining exactly why and what purpose they provide, I first delved into a Jordan Peterson-esque analysis of the metaphors in the various story elements. I started to analyze the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood and the mermaids and the fairies and wondered how they all represent something in real life that we can understand better through an enchanted metaphor. I was wrong. Fairy tales do not have a pragmatic “utility”. Fairy tales are a part of us, and as human and ineluctable as language itself.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Megha Lillywhite
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More