Tale as Old as Modern Times: Why Classic Fairy Tales Are Still Important | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Tale as Old as Modern Times: Why Classic Fairy Tales Are Still Important

As long as there are dragons we will need boys and girls to fight them

93
Tale as Old as Modern Times: Why Classic Fairy Tales Are Still Important
s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com

"This time the princess saves herself." No greater praise can be uttered about the modern fairy tale. Today's princess must be strong and independent. She does not need a prince; she can take care of herself. Unlike the princesses of the past who waited, weak and helpless, in bondage until dashing young men swept them out of danger, these princesses for the modern age slay their own dragons. Young girls need characters like these, the social experts say, that they may be inspired and grow up into strong women. It is true, these childhood stories help shape a child's view of the world- so the stories we tell our children are important. But perhaps the enlightened naysayers of the classic fairy tale miss the point. The point of the prince rescuing the princess is not to show that women are weak and incapable but to show that women are worth dying for.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen said "When a man loves a woman, he has to become worthy of her. The higher her virtue, the more noble her character, the more devoted she is to truth, justice, goodness, the more a man has to aspire to be worthy of her." Men do not move mountains because of some petty belief that their beloved is incapable of taking care of herself. They move mountains out of a desire to protect and preserve that which they hold most dear. The lesson for children to take from the classic fairy tales is not that girls are weak and boys are strong but that sometimes we must fight dragons for the one we love. And as G.K. Chesterton says "fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed." When these children grow up they will find that not all dragons are fire-breathing monsters. Indeed, dragons come in many forms. Dragons are new jobs and uncertainty, parenthood and doubt, health scares and anxiety. Fairy tales teach us that love means choosing someone who will fight these dragons with you. Because love is a choice; love is a fight.

And all the princesses in the Disney pantheon from Snow White down the line show this to be true. Belle chooses to love the unlovable Beast and fought for his redemption. Cinderella chooses to have the courage to be kind when no one would do the the same to her. And Cinderella's prince chooses to become a man worthy of her kindness. Tangled was not about rescuing a helpless girl in a tower. It was about Flynn Rider choosing for the first time in his life to put someone else before himself so that Rapunzel could live her dream. So let us raise heroic princes and brave princesses. Let us teach our children to stand by each other and fight together as they face the dragons of tomorrow.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

185508
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

11752
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

455610
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25179
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments