Once Upon a Psychological Theory
Many parents read fairy tales to their children. Young people are able to use their imaginations while listening to these fantastical stories. Filled with dragons, witches, damsels in distress, and heroes, these tales stay in the mind children for years to come. However, these young listeners are getting much more than a happy ending. Fairy tales such as "The Goose Girl", "The Three Little Pigs", "Cinderella", and "Snow White" one can find theories of psychology. Erik Erikson's theories of social development as well as Sigmund Freud's theory of the map of the mind and his controversial Oedipal complex can be found in many fairy tales. Within every fairy tale there lies a hidden lesson in psychology.In 1963, psychoanalyst Erik Erikson developed one of the most comprehensive theories of social development. The theory centers around eight stages of psychological development. One of the stages, autonomy versus shame and doubt, occurs between the ages of one and a half and three years old. In this stage toddlers develop independence if freedom and exploration are encouraged. Autonomy itself means having control over oneself. "At any given moment, our behavior, including this sense [autonomy], is influenced by the outer e
"We should never accept the fact that we have grasped the entire and ultimate meaning of these narrations."(Heuscher 395). To read a fairy tale and relate it to any psychological theory is not an easy task. Many people have different opinions on the topic. Some people feel fairy tales should be left alone and not picked a part. Others feel everything must have a hidden meaning. Heinrich Zimmer once said, "We can never exhaust the depths of myths and fairy tales- of that we may be certain; but then neither can anyone else." (Heuscher vii). Fairy tales can mean many different things to many different people. Children may like fairy tales because good triumphs over evil. Adults may favor them because they trigger childhood memories. And a psychologist may prefer fairy tales because every tale presents a theory. In the end everything boils down to the fact that, fairy tales were written to be enjoyed. The theory of the Oedipus complex can be seen in many fairy tales. Tales such as "Cinderella" and "Rapunzel" contain oedipal overtones. Cinderella is the tale of a young girl held captive by her dictatorial stepmother. Her stepmother tries to prevent her from attending the royal ball and meeting Prince Charming. The prince can be compared to Cinderella's father. The queen is standing in the way of Cinderella's desires for the prince. Here the theme of the overbearing female figure of the Oedipus complex is transferred into the stepmother refusing Cinderella of the prince. A similar female Oedipus complex is present in "Rapunzel". An evil witch traps the young girl in a tower. A prince walking by the tower begins a relationship with Rapunzel. The witch stands in the way of the young girl to be with the prince. This story also contains a male oedipal conflict. The prince wants to be the hero and save Rapunzel. Just as the oedipal boy wants to be the hero to his mother. These two fairy tales are just few examples of this dominating theme. Gaining autonomy from one's parents is the topic of a once famous Brother's Grimm story, "The Goose Girl." The story is of a beautiful princess who is to be married to a prince chosen by her mother. The girl along with her maid was sent to the castle of the prince. On the way the princess gave her maid a golden cup and asked for a drink. The maid took the cup and told the princess she would no longer be her servant. Again this happened and this time the maid realized her power over the princes and forced her to switch horses and dresses and to tell no one. Upon arrival at the castle the maid was married while the true princess was forced to tend to the geese in a pasture. In the pasture while tending geese with a boy she let her pure gold hair down. The boy wished to grab it. However, the princess summoned the winds and would not allow the boy to touch her hair. The boy calls the king to witness this daily event. This reveals the truth and the maid is killed. The true princess marries her prince and they rule their kingdom in peace. Bettelhem, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment. New York: Vintage, 1976.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Sigmund Freud's, Goose Girl, Little Pigs, Erik Erikson, Prince Charming, Snow White, Unconcerned Thebes, Heinrich Zimmer, , Cinderella Rapunzel, fairy tales, snow white, super ego, fairy tale, oedipus complex, goose girl, freud's theory, sigmund freud's, pleasure principal, touch hair, theory map mind, freud's theory map, white seven dwarfs, boy touch hair, snow white seven,
Approximate Word count = 2178
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
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