Fairytales initially emerged through the oral tradition of storytelling. These tales were created for an adult audience; however, their ability to attract the attention of children led to their transcendence into children's literature (Knoepflmacher 16). Adults possessed the desire to control the information and content presented to children, and therefore aimed to censor fairytales to ensure their appropriateness for young readers. Children's perceived position as vulnerable beings resulted in the want to restrict such impressionable minds from sexual or violent content (McClure 22). Subsequently, fairytales were transformed from a form of entertainment for adults, to a method in which adult society could mould offspring through the installation of morals and values (Zipes 3).
The removal of content deemed inappropriate for a young audience is made evident through the comparison of the earlier versions of fairytales, and their modernized Disney adaptations. Although Disney's fairytales are perceived as didactic forms of literature, these contemporary tales instill values that are detrimental to children's development. These disadvantageous morals are presented through an idealized patriarchal society in which importance is placed on physical appearances.
[...] The Danger of Happy Endings: Censorship in Fairytales Fairytales initially emerged through the oral tradition of storytelling. These tales were created for an adult audience; however, their ability to attract the attention of children led to their transcendence into children's literature (Knoepflmacher 16). Adults possessed the desire to control the information and content presented to children, and therefore aimed to censor fairytales to ensure their appropriateness for young readers. Children's perceived position as vulnerable beings resulted in the want to restrict such impressionable minds from sexual or violent content (McClure 22). [...]
[...] The film expresses that a girl's principal aim should be to form a relationship with a man of high social standing and wealth. This “reproduces the idea that a child born female can only realize a gendered incarnation of adulthood and is destined to fulfill her selfhood by becoming the appendage, if not the property, of a (Giroux 108). The female audience of Disney's fairytales is thus encouraged to put all their effort into finding a suitable companion; threatened by the idea that a “happy ending” will not be achieved without marital status. [...]
[...] The ideal of love at first sight places importance on the physical. Affection is based solely on the subject's outward appearance. True love is also presented as easily attainable. Disney characters do not participate in the ritual of dating. Marital unions are formed quickly, with minimal effort in selecting a partner. Power is also given to true love's kiss. In several Disney films, true love's kiss is bestowed with magical properties, often possessing life-giving abilities. This conceptualization of love does not coincide with the reality of intimate relationships. [...]
[...] “Introduction: Literary Fairy Tales and the Value of Impurity.” Marvels & Tales 2003: 15-36. Print. McClure, Amy. “Censorship.” Children's Literature Association Quarterly 1983: 22-25. Print. Wood, Naomi. “Domesticating Dreams in Walt Disney's Cinderella”. The Lion and the Unicorn 1996: 25-49. Print. Zipes, David. Fairy Tales and the Art of Subversion: The Classical Genre for Children and the Process of Civilization. Toronto: Routledge Print. [...]
[...] Waller Hastings, Professor of Children's Literature explains that “Disney falsifies life by pretending that everything is so sweet, so saccharine, so without any conflict” (279). Disney's portrayal of an idealized world where morality continuously results in success, and the achievement of one's goals is founded merely on conviction is detrimental for a child audience. Disney's fairytales set children up for failure and disappointment as they fail to educate and prepare children for the conflict they will inevitably face. Within Disney's idealized world there is an unrealistic representation of love. Disney often appropriates the concept of love at first sight. [...]
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