Here is my thesis statement:
Fairy tales play a crucial role in both child development and cultural storytelling by providing valuable lessons, fostering imagination, and offering therapeutic benefits, despite potential criticisms regarding their traditional narratives.
From List A:
One article that stood out to me is “The Positive Impacts of Fairy Tales for Children” by Leilani VisikoKnox-Johnson. This article explains how fairy tales help children understand basic human conflicts and relationships while also aiding their moral and emotional development. What caught my attention the most was the idea that fairy tales can be used in therapy, especially for children dealing with illnesses. Storytelling allows kids to express their fears and anxieties in a safe way, which helps them process difficult emotions. This resonates with me because, growing up in Africa, I experienced the power of storytelling firsthand. My uncles and grandparents would gather us around the fire during vacations in the village, sharing traditional tales that taught us about courage and kindness. Each story had its own traditional song, which the storyteller would sing at key moments, adding an artistic element to the experience. These moments were significant in shaping my understanding of right and wrong.
From List B:
Another article I found interesting is “Why Fairy Tales Matter” by Maria Tatar. Tatar talks about how fairy tales address universal themes like love, courage, and transformation, making them meaningful across generations. Her explanation that these stories connect us to shared human experiences and inspire creativity made me realize how fairy tales are important not only for personal growth but also for understanding cultural values and traditions. During school time in the city, my parents introduced me to modern fairy tales like “Snow White” and “Cinderella,” or as we call them in French, “Blanche Neige” and “Cendrillon.” Watching these tales on TV reinforced the lessons I learned from traditional stories—being good to others and making wise choices.
The second article from List B, “Tell Fairy Stories to Your Children” by Jane Stafford, also caught my attention. Stafford emphasizes the importance of reading fairy tales to children because they spark imagination and teach moral lessons. She argues that these stories can shape how kids see the world and develop their ethical beliefs. I agree with her point because both the traditional tales from my village and the modern ones from TV taught me similar values: the importance of kindness, bravery, and being cautious in decision making. The traditional songs that accompanied the stories added a unique artistic dimension, making the storytelling experience even more memorable and impactful.
These articles show how fairy tales are powerful tools for both personal and cultural growth. They help children learn important life lessons, encourage creativity, and even provide therapeutic benefits. While some people criticize fairy tales for their traditional narratives, I believe their positive impact outweighs the negatives. Fairy tales have been an integral part of my education, teaching me to differentiate between good and bad and guiding me to make thoughtful choices. The combination of storytelling and song has enriched my appreciation for this art form, ensuring that fairy tales will always hold a special place in storytelling and learning
