• 1,206 Plays
  • The Great Cauldron of Story: Maria Tatar on Why Fairy Tales Are for Adults AgainOn Being
Download External Audio

This week’s show came about in the best possible way — while browsing illustrated books about classic literature at a quaint children’s book shop in Minneapolis (The Wild Rumpus). I pitched the brilliant folklorist Maria Tatar as a guest who could talk about why all these timeless stories are infusing our culture in fresh ways these days. The popularity of Game of Thrones and The Vampire Diaries is a testament to the great, inventive work being done.

The result? “The Great Cauldron of Story: Why Fairy Tales Are for Adults Again.”

Fairy tales don’t only belong to the domain of childhood. These stories’ overt themes are threaded throughout hit TV series like True Blood, Grimm, and Once Upon a Time too. These stories survive, says Maria Tatar, by adapting across cultures and history. They are carriers of the plots we endlessly re-work in the narratives of our lives — helping us work through things like fear and hope.

I think you’re going to dig this conversation. If so, spread the word: reblog, tweet, post on your own site, you name it.

~Trent Gilliss, senior editor

238 Notes/ Hide

  1. witch-ling reblogged this from fairytalemood
  2. samantha-shakespeare reblogged this from fairytalemood
  3. the-deviant-moon reblogged this from schonheitsschock
  4. caitiecatbug reblogged this from fairytalemood and added:
    This is what I wrote my senior paper on! Focusing mainly on Cinderella. Maria Tatar was a huge source for me. This is...
  5. ignisaquae reblogged this from fairytalemood
  6. rosemaryandthorn reblogged this from fairytalemood
  7. evilregalpodcast reblogged this from fairytalemood and added:
    We came across this brilliant and intelligent discussion of fairy tales that we had to share.
  8. perhapsallthedragons reblogged this from fairytalemood
  9. lavendersmack reblogged this from fairytalemood
  10. radedneko reblogged this from fairytalemood
  11. tabledfables reblogged this from thegingerbreadroom and added:
    Maria Tatar is an expert on fairy tales, and she brings a fascinating point of view to discussions. We were lucky enough...
  12. sherlock-marple reblogged this from fairytalemood
  13. eriedoodle reblogged this from fairytalemood
  14. goddessdster reblogged this from fairytalemood
  15. teacherchick reblogged this from fairytalemood
  16. fairytalecritic reblogged this from fairytalemood and added:
    A fascinating look at fairy tales and how we tell them from the folklorist Maria Tatar. If you’re at all interested in...

Recent comments

Blog comments powered by Disqus