Is there a book which explains the meaning of nursery rhymes/fairy tales?

11 replies

bohemianbint · 04/04/2008 12:58

Cos I really want to read one!

OP posts:

MrsBadger · 04/04/2008 13:09

am sure the Opies wrote one but can't find it

verona · 04/04/2008 13:17

The Opies' book is 'The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes'.
It's fab

Original poster

bohemianbint · 04/04/2008 13:18

Oooh, brilliant, will look it up - thanks!

OP posts:

ellceeell · 04/04/2008 13:45

This is quite a good sit if you can't wait to get a book! www.rhymes.org.uk/

ellceeell · 04/04/2008 13:46

Sorry, site

Original poster

bohemianbint · 04/04/2008 14:35

cheers ellceeell!

OP posts:

dizietsma · 04/04/2008 14:44

Check out some Jack Zipes

After reading his analysis of various illustrations in Red Riding Hood in a great book of fairy tales called Don't Bet on the Prince, I'm feeling very weird about teaching my little girl a story with the moral that if she is raped by a strange man in the woods then she deserved it for leading him on!

Original poster

bohemianbint · 04/04/2008 14:45

Christ, is that what that's all about?!

They really are dark, aren't they...

OP posts:

Anna8888 · 04/04/2008 14:45

Bruno Bettelheim "The Uses of Enchantment" (Penguin) is the classic work on fairy tales.

marina · 04/04/2008 14:46

Bruno Bettelheim, also Marina Warner

Zazette · 04/04/2008 14:49

Bettelheim's book is a classic, but his ideas have been vigorously contested. Marina Warner's books are really good for giving you an overview of how people like Bettelheim have approached fairy tales and what the limitations of their views are, as well as offering her own readings. Maria Tatar has also written some really good books about fairytales.

Flip