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Author
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Comment
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Jenny
Unregistered User
(12/15/02 7:43:16 pm)
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i wonder whether any of you can help me...
Hello All,
Now I'm the first to admit that I'm a student, but not the average humanities buff that you may be expecting. I'm currently studying business, but am jetting off to Germany next year to study there instead. While I'm away, i have to do a mini-thesis type construction dealing with a facet of German culture, and after reading some of Grimms' fairy tales to my little cousin last week, I'm contemplating looking at fairy tales as a part of German culture ie their history within the state, factors tying them in to and making them a reflection of everyday life, the underlying roles which caused the British occupying forces after WW2 to try to ban them, etc.
BUT, as fascinating and interesting as the topic may seem, and as much as i have been able to find bits of info on the web, my lecturers will, at some stage, undoubtedly want me to back up my findings with some academic references, of which i have been able to find none.
So, my question to you is whether you know of any resources which may help me out. I am gathering from reading the other postings on this board that you tend to deal more with the literary side of study, which i would prefer not to get too caught up in - social influences and consequences must remain my focus.
So if anyone can help I'd really appreciate it.
Jenny
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Helen
Registered User
(12/15/02 8:12:50 pm)
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Sources ...
Dear Jenny:
I'm afraid that this isn't my primary field of study, but I'd recommend that you look at the works of Jack Zipes and Maria Tatar, both of whom deal with the social influences of fairy tales, particularly in Germany. In Zipes' case, I'd particularly recommend _Fairy Tales and Fables From Weimar Days_ (University of Wisconsin Press, 1989) which deals with a slightly earlier period, but which ought to be useful for the purposes of contextualization and, quite simply, as a source of further reading - the bibliography is extensive. Tatar delivered a brilliant lecture last year that related to this topic, which came from the book that she was at work on at the time: if you e-mailed her directly, she might be able to suggest some sources. You might also want to look at _The Nazification of an Academic Discipline: Folklore & Fascism_. (I'm afraid that I'm not precisely sure if that is the exact title - sorry, finals week and the flu don't help much with the lucidity of my writing.) It sounds like a fascinating project - I'd love to hear about your conclusions. Hope this helps!
Best,
Helen
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Jenny
Unregistered User
(12/17/02 4:29:44 pm)
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You are a goddess!!
Helen,
Thank you so much for your help - I've already been able to find heaps of additional references and sources - and I haven't even looked at the books yet!! It was one of those situations where I just didn't even know where to start looking - and I certainly didn't realise there was such an extensive field of research based solely on fairy tales and folk lore!
So, thanks again, you've helped me out so much - I am eternally grateful.
Cheers
Jenny
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