What is a fairy tale, and what is its role in the life of almost any person? Which of us in childhood did not hear these wonderful fantastic works from the lips of mom or grandmother, did not read them in kindergarten syllables, did not go through literature as part of the school curriculum? And cartoons, and feature films based on? We can say that a fairy tale is something with which more than one generation of people has grown, and not only in our country. What educates and shapes the personality of each person.
Definition
But not everyone will be able to unequivocally define: “a fairy tale is ...” And what, in fact, is a fairy tale? Let's start with all kinds of dictionaries. In them, a fairy tale is, first of all, a work of folklore, oral creativity, a narration of heroes and events, usually fictitious, transmitted by word of mouth. But in the past two centuries, such folklore has been actively published in books in huge editions, so we always have the opportunity to not only listen to them, but also read them. A folk tale is a fictional work. It can be contrasted with such “reliable” narratives as epics, for example.
Literary
And there is also a literary tale. She, in contrast to the folk, folklore, has a specific author (it is sometimes called author). Often, such works are closely related to folk. Sometimes the author simply retells them without adding anything, but there are fairy tales where the source material is completely recycled. Folklore precedes authors' literature, occupies a primary place in the classification of fiction. But the author’s tales of famous writers are rightfully included in the treasury of the world classics of such literature.
Other values
If we talk about other meanings of the word fairy tale, then we can note that a similar term in the figurative sense defines something fantastic and alluring, sometimes unattainable in ordinary life situations. And sometimes they call it that which no one believes: pure fiction, untruth, fiction (even with negative coloring).
Origin of the word
According to scientists, the word itself appears in everyday life not earlier than the 17th century and comes from “to say”, which meant “list” or “exact description”. In the modern context, the word "fairy tale" began to be used later, and earlier the word "fable" was used to denote a similar concept.
Classification of folk tales
Researchers of folk tales believe that they are based on myths that have lost their sacred meaning. The myth is associated with a certain ritual. In the fairy tale, the artistic side comes to the fore. And events take place outside the existing geography. Such works are characterized by: anonymity, collectivity and orality. Simply put, a folklore tale does not have a specific author, but is transmitted by many storytellers by word of mouth, preserving the main plot. Sometimes some details, like variations, are added to it. We can say that the products of CNTs (oral folk art) are a collective creation. According to the generally accepted classification of folklore researchers, all these creations can be divided into fairy tales about animals or plants, about inanimate nature or objects, magical, bothersome, cumulative, novelistic and some others. This cohort also includes jokes and fables.
Household tale
This is related to CNT short stories. Household fairy tales occupy a rather extensive place in folklore. They differ from, for example, magical ones in that the narrative is based on daily life stories. In them, as a rule, there is no fiction, but real characters are involved: wife and husband, merchant and soldier, master and worker, pop, etc. These are the works of the oral creativity of the people about fooling a gentleman or priest, about admonishing a careless wife, about a cunning soldier who is smart. Basically, a domestic fairy tale is a work on a domestic or family theme. Key likes: experienced soldier, skilled and savvy worker who achieve their goals, sometimes passing through comic or terrible situations. At the same time, the irony of the narrative is revealed. Such tales are usually short. The plot develops quickly, in the center of the action is one episode that looks like a fairy tale story. According to Belinsky, it is in everyday tales that the moral, everyday, and characteristic features of the entire Russian people are displayed: a crafty mind, the ability to irony, simplicity, and hard work. Household fairy tales do not contain either horrors or special magic, but they can be endowed with irony and comic. Outwardly, such a work looks like a fairy tale come true. This apparent credibility is one of the many hallmarks of such creativity.
Examples of everyday tales
They can be listed quite a lot: “Barin and the dog”, “Fedul and Melania”, “Barin and the man”, “Fool and the birch”, “Funeral of the goat”, “Soldier's greatcoat”, “Pot”.
Everyone remembers, probably, the everyday fairy tale “Porridge from the Ax”, in which the savvy soldier cooks food as if from nothing (from one ax), and meanwhile he cleverly begs the greedy mistress for all the necessary products.