Chapter 29 11/3

In this chapter, Bruno Bettelheim discusses the idea of fairy tales and compares them to myths. Fairy tales come from ancient times and have been changed by the teller of the story over their existence until they have been modified into a form that help the child deal with psychological pressures they deal with while growing up. Bettelheim also argues that these fairy tales are much different from other stories that have a long and ancient lineage, myths. According to the chapter, fairy tales are more indirect, include ordinary heroes and heroines, contain a simple presentation and have a happy ending. Myths are more direct, include superhuman characters, make demands on the reader, and have a tragic ending. Myths tend to be more pessimistic, while fairy tales are more pessimistic. Bettelheim even points out how Freud’s analysis of the psyche plays a role in both fairy tales and the myth. Myths, says Bettelheim, contain characters dominated by the demands of their superegos. Fairy tales integrate the ego and make it possible for the unconscious id desires to be felt by the child listening to the story. One point I found interesting in the reading is that we, as human beings, deal with pressure differently throughout life. As children, we deal with pressures by relating to these fairy tales, however as more mature adults, we use humor to cope with daily pressures.