Uses of Being Enchanted

I read The Uses of Enchantment : The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales by Bruno Betteleheim in my early teens. It desecrated my magical world of fairy tales forever.

While I was introduced to Hans Andersen and Grimm Brothers right at the same time as the next kid, this book came much before I was emotionally ready for it. In light of my new found understanding I started to analyze my favorite stories. The exercise left me with revulsion that I have not been able to overcome since.

I read the "The Uses of Enchantment" again in my early twenties making it perhaps the only book I have ever revisited. By then the printed word was no longer the Gospel truth. I could choose to disagree and this time I did. Unfortunately, that did not return my magical enchanted world to me.

Being a mother now I miss being able to introduce my daughter to the world of fairy tales with uninhibited abandon. I lead her there and leave, allowing her to discover by herself. How I wish I could walk with her all the way again. Being able to believe in magic, fairies and fantasy is just the rejuvenation I need .

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1 comment:

DilettanteMoi said...

Cannot imagine a world without the fairy tale land to escape to once in a while..

Shall try to avoid that book!! Thanks HC

2:35 PM

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