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redmink's picture

Pinoccheo and me

This essay was interesting in that Bettelheim succintly lists the ways how a story enrich child's life as a therapist and educator. I agreed with him on most points he made throughout the essay such as how it is important to include shady side in a fairy tale so that a child can see both sides of the world. Especially, I would like to talk about the role of a fairy tale in a child's difficult situation in reality.

I was a bad child to my dad. He and I had a gap deeper than any other children's because I was a late-born. When I was about 15 years old, I was going through a peak of adolescence. I hated that my dad always wore a cap that did not look good to me, and it drove me crazy when my dad put a dish upside down on a dish rack. Often, I raised my voice and complained. Going back to my room, I blamed him for everything. During that time, I recalled Pinoccheo's story. In the very cold winter, Pinoccheo accuses his dad of an incompetent man. Shoked, the old man goes out with sorrow, and comes back with a loaf of bread to feed Pinoccheo. Realizing his dad's sacrifice and love, Pinoccheo feels sorry to his dad. This is the part of Pinoccheo I recalled when I felt sorry for my dad. At that age, thinking of Pinoccheo's dad's sacrifice for Pinoccheo, I became to feel grateful for my dad, too. So, I agree with Bettelheim's point in which a fairy tale gives children hope and leads their violent unconscious to be optimistic.

 

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