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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Through fairy tales, children are led to believe that _____ will always come to their aid.

2. Disregarding a personality can be equivalent to discarding what?

3. During this phase, a child often tends to feel what?

4. In ancient times, stories were often fashioned from tales regarding _________________.

5. Who is the first famous writer to be quoted in chapter one?

Short Essay Questions

1. What story does Bettelheim refer to regarding the introduction of duality?

2. Why are fairy tales important to the development of a child's mind?

3. Who is Louis MacNeice and what does he say about fairy tales?

4. What example is used regarding the differentiation between fantasy and reality?

5. Why have some parents and educators outlawed fairy tales?

6. Historically speaking, what things most often formed a child's intellect?

7. What type of character is often seen as the representation of good versus evil?

8. How is a supreme being or other force worked into fairy tales?

9. Bruno Bettelheim quotes Charles Dickens on fairy tales. What does Dickens say?

10. How does Dickens' statement relate to the conflict of allowing children to experience fairy tales?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many fairy tales have sexual connotations. This involves everything from the oedipal influence to the avoidance of temptation and compromising situations through to preparing a child for puberty and eventual adulthood. Write a 1000-word essay on the use of sexual connotations in fairy tales. What is considered to be helpful? What might be harmful? What might be considered to be inappropriate? Use examples.

Essay Topic 2

The section "Fairy Tale Versus Myth" carries the subtitle "Optimism Versus Pessimism." What is discussed in this section? What two great philosophers weighed in on the topic? What is the difference between myths today and in that era? Explain how the men viewed myths. How did myth tie into wisdom in the eyes of a child? How is the concept of humanity explored? What is the general opinion of psychologists on this topic? How do their opinions. Compare to those belonging to the philosophers?

Essay Topic 3

Choose a beloved fairy tale from your childhood. Dissect the story in the same vein as the stories are analyzed in the book. Examine the various aspects, including metaphors, influences, oedipal references, moral values, psychological implications, and duplicity. Explain each area. Does the dissection change your views on the story?

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This section contains 684 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample