9

The people went on to tell me that this witch was one to frequently intervene into human affairs. She often preyed on those in desperate need, leaving those she encountered unable to deny her requests. Some of those seated with me seemed to have convinced themselves that anyone who decided to go along with the witch had surely been put under a spell. She seemed to be manipulative, not necessarily murderous. In return for her assistance, she sought treasures, some time from your lifespan, or simply running her errands for her, which were never usual. The disgusted expressions spread across the faces around me were not discouraging me. What could the witch ask of me that would be so bizarre in this world? It seemed to me that I had handled quite enough already, and I was clearly capable. One woman seated at the table remarked that my bright expression concerned her, and that she hoped I was not thinking of seeking out the witch. I laughed, assuring her that I wouldn’t think of doing so. I asked of her whereabouts, so I could be sure to continue to “avoid” the witch. 

7

I browsed a few more shops, before stopping to rest for a bit. I sat down on a long bench at a worn but sturdy, wooden table. Others were at this table as well, relaxing, eating, multiple conversations going on. I meant to keep to myself and quietly eat the loaf of bread, but almost as soon as I took a seat, I was invited into the conversation. The topic was switched to me, the people excited to be speaking with someone from elsewhere. The question of where I had come from frightened me. My answer could dissolve my lie of being a traveler. I was as honest as I could be. I said I had come from just outside the start of the forest, and in regards to my life in this world, that is true. A look of mild concern appeared on their faces. “You don’t often get into altercations with the beings there?”, “Isn’t the forest dangerous?”, “You aren’t scared?” These questions sent a wave of relief and fear over me. What I had experienced in the forest was considered normal and expected of the place to these people, when I had felt it to be completely unknown and fearsome. I did not feel safer, but comforted. These questions made me uneasy because my answers could reveal my true identity.

5

I set off again this morning, turning my head wearily towards the shelf before opening the door. The daylight gave me just a touch more courage than I’d had the previous night. Despite that, I did not have a decision to make. Bringing myself to inspect the shelf is currently out of the question. I know that avoiding it does not change its potential state, I just want to hold onto the comfort of finding “safe” shelter for a little bit longer.

     For the first time since I found this home, I dared venture past it. The trees continued on, but not as deeply as they had upon entering. They stopped at a large field where, from a distance, I’d noticed signs of civilization. Small buildings next to and facing each other, a very faint smell of food cooking. Sweet, soft noises, convincing me of the safety this place seemed to offer. All of these things relieved the tiredness in my feet and carried my through the field, and into town.

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3
 Into the following day, I stumbled upon shelter. It looks to be abandoned, and as if it has been for quite some time. I'm hardly settled but have gained a small and much needed sense of security. There is little left behind, some jars containing "ingredients" that just can't be for food. They could be anything. Potions, maybe? For now it must be best that I don't touch them. Due to desperate circumstance, this little shack is enough to call home. Although, it is not entirely comfortable. It is a familiar place in an unfamiliar world. Who could blame me for wondering if it's as normal as it appears?

Darker versions of fairy tale

  While most people associate Grimm's fairy tales with being darker versions of the stories, they are actually responsible for the light-hearted versions that we are familiar with. Of course, Grimm's fairy tales feature darker events, themes of sexuality and violence, but the original versions were far less appropriate for a young audience. Taking the taming of fairy tales even further, Disney's Snow White animated film set the stage for today's sense of fairy tales being for children. The film was appropriate for families, and depicted a magical, happier story. Children today have grown up with a newer breed of fairy tales, twists and parodies such as Disney's Enchanted and Dreamwork's Shrek. Despite the success of these films, films like Snow White & The Seven Huntsmen, original and adapted Tim Burton films and others, are experiencing an equal success. Through its development, it looks as though fairy tales have not been able to completely separate themselves from their origins, and returning to them has proven to be successful.

(source : http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/05/fairy-tales-started-dark-got-cute-and-are-now-getting-dark-again/257934/

Explanation of project

In combining the genres of epistolary fiction and fairy tales, I plan to write a typical fairytale that is unusual in its sense of perspective. In fairy tales, the story is presented to the audience by the narrator, often in a matter-of-fact style. We are provided with the events and results of the story, but often times we do not see the deeper side of how these events effected the character and developed personal growth. Through a series of letters written by the main character throughout their adventure, the audience will be given an inside view into the character's thoughts and feelings. When a "shocking" event occurs in a fairy tale, the character immediately reacts, often with bravery, and the problem is resolved.In reality, whether or not the character resolves the problem, they will be left with the emotional effect of the shocking or traumatic experience. I feel that this unusual portrayal of a fairy tale would create a deeper appreciation and understanding of them, making them more relatable as well. In seeing how a real human being would react and grow from these experiences, I hope that will allow anyone to view themselves in the hero's shoes.

History and Origins

  Before the genre became its own separate form, fairy tales were considered more to be natural, short stories. The tradition of fairy tales began as soon as they were being passed down orally. Because stories were told verbally and had not yet been written down, they were often told dramatically. This also contributes to the history of the genre not being completely certain, and biased on the development of them in some countries.

Timeline of the endurance of fairy tales in various forms (Literature,film,theatre)

    Although it has been attempted, it seems impossible to track down the original source of fairy tales, or the very first versions of stories. Due to oral tradition, tales were altered from speaker to speaker, leaving everyone with their own version of a tale. Even as people were beginning to write them down, aspects of stories were changed in order to accommodate cultures or the story tellers preference. Another issue that arose was the difference between the genres of fairy tale and fantasy. In 1980, Brian Attebery published a book titled The Fantasy Tradition in American Literature, where he explored the genre of fantasy in depth. From there, he saught to find its influence of American folklore. Before fantasy was a genre of its own , some stories created during that time were considered to be fairy tales, when later they would be considered fantasy. From here, the sub-genre of fairytale fantasy was developed. Two stories that Attebery had studied closely were The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and The Hobbit, both of which fit into the sub-genre for including original plots with fairy tale aspects.

Examples and elements of fairy tales

Most people are very familiar with fairy tales and acquired their knowledge of them during childhood. Some of the most well-known and beloved fairy tales include: Goldilocks and The Three Bears, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Beauty and the Beast, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Bean Stalk,  Snow White, The Three Little Pigs, etc. Although each tale varies in events, their elements are what keep them associated. More recent adaptations have included modern twists on the genre, featuring realistic romance situations and conflicts that could occur in the real world.Fairy tales have been able to stay current in their own way. "Even in a digital age when technology is constantly outpacing itself, it is hard to imagine fairy tales will ever become obsolete."(x)

Some Elements of a Fairy Tale include:
-Setting- Opening with "Once upon a time.." fairy tales are almost always set in the past and give a sense of having occurred such a long time ago, separating their world from ours.
-Fantasy- Includes fantastical characters, situations and aspects (magic,talking animals)
-Plot-focuses on the battle between good and evil
-Conclusion- Almost always involves a positive ending where the goal has been accomplished
-Moral- Story's conclusion reveals moral that can be related back into real life

More elements in fairy tales

Defining Fairy Tales

    The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines fairy tales as "Simple narrative typically of folk origin dealing with supernatural beings. Fairy tales may be written or told for the amusement of children or may have a more sophisticated narrative containing supernatural or obviously improbable events, scenes, and personages, and often having a whimsical, satirical, or moralistic character."(link) 

   Globally, people are familiar with fairy tales, passing them down and ending up with multiple versions of the same story. Fairy tales hold not only a sense of entertainment for children, but often the triumph of good over evil, and the brave completion of supposedly impossible tasks. Although a happy ending is what we know to expect from fairy tales, we are sometimes met with tragedy and violence, reality cutting into fantastic worlds. Perhaps the message is not always direct,but fairy tales ease us into reality as we age from childhood. Writer Kelly Cipera comments "The study of fairy tales is a study into our own psychology. They are not just about the hero saving the day, but the hero becoming a better person by dealing with their own inadequacies and maturing from a simple child into a complicated adult".(link)