How Does 'On Fairy Stories' Define A Fairy Tale?

2025-11-11 02:52:13 291

3 Answers

Liam
Liam
2025-11-15 22:10:43
Tolkien’s 'On Fairy Stories' redefines fairy tales as something far grander than bedtime stories. He sees them as portals to secondary worlds with their own rules, where wonder and danger coexist. What’s cool is how he ties this to human creativity—we don’t just make up fairy tales; we sub-create, building new realities that reflect our deepest desires and fears.

He also claps back at critics who dismiss them as childish. For Tolkien, the best fairy tales have a 'eucatastrophe,' a sudden shift from despair to joy that feels almost miraculous. It’s why 'The Lord of the Rings' isn’t just an adventure—it’s a fairy tale for adults, full of sorrow and unexpected hope. That idea stuck with me long after I finished the essay.
Tyler
Tyler
2025-11-16 16:52:53
Tolkien's essay 'On Fairy Stories' is this beautiful, almost magical dissection of what fairy tales really are. He doesn’t just slap a textbook definition on them—he digs into their essence, arguing that they’re not just silly stories for kids. To him, fairy tales are about entering a world where the impossible feels real, where dragons and elves exist, and where the ordinary rules don’t apply. He calls this 'Secondary Belief,' where we willingly suspend disbelief and dive into a realm that feels as vivid as our own.

One of my favorite parts is how Tolkien separates fairy tales from mere dreams or nonsensical fantasies. He insists they have internal logic, a consistency that makes them feel true. And they’re not escapism in a negative sense—they’re a way to recover wonder, to see our own world with fresh eyes. The idea of 'eucatastrophe,' that sudden, joyous turn in the story, is something I still think about when I read modern fantasy. It’s like Tolkien handed us a lens to understand why these stories resonate so deeply.
Xander
Xander
2025-11-17 09:41:56
Reading 'On Fairy Stories' feels like sitting down with Tolkien over tea while he passionately explains his love for fairy tales. He’s adamant that they aren’t just for children—they’re a serious art form. What sticks with me is how he defines them by their ability to create a secondary world that’s fully realized. It’s not about talking animals or magic wands; it’s about crafting a universe so coherent that you forget it’s fiction.

He also trashes the idea that fairy tales are 'unrealistic.' Instead, he argues they reveal deeper truths about humanity, like hope and courage, in ways realistic fiction can’t. The essay’s a bit academic, but when he describes the 'eucatastrophe'—that moment of unexpected grace—it’s pure poetry. It’s why I cry every time Sam carries Frodo up Mount Doom. Tolkien didn’t just write fairy tales; he gave us a philosophy for why they matter.
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