Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Reply to comment

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.

 

Reply

To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
3 + 15 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.