The Orange Fairy Book

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book The Orange Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Andrew Lang ISBN: 9781465601247
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Andrew Lang
ISBN: 9781465601247
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
These Fairy Books, however, are not written by the Editor, as he has often explained, ‘out of his own head.’ The stories are taken from those told by grannies to grandchildren in many countries and in many languages—French, Italian, Spanish, Catalan, Gaelic, Icelandic, Cherokee, African, Indian, Australian, Slavonic, Eskimo, and what not. The stories are not literal, or word by word translations, but have been altered in many ways to make them suitable for children. Much has been left out in places, and the narrative has been broken up into conversations, the characters telling each other how matters stand, and speaking for themselves, as children, and some older people, prefer them to do. In many tales, fairly cruel and savage deeds are done, and these have been softened down as much as possible; though it is impossible, even if it were desirable, to conceal the circumstance that popular stories were never intended to be tracts and nothing else. Though they usually take the side of courage and kindness, and the virtues in general, the old story-tellers admire successful cunning as much as Homer does in the Odyssey. At least, if the cunning hero, human or animal, is the weaker, like Odysseus, Brer Rabbit, and many others, the story-teller sees little in intellect but superior cunning, by which tiny Jack gets the better of the giants. In the fairy tales of no country are ‘improper’ incidents common, which is to the credit of human nature, as they were obviously composed mainly for children. It is not difficult to get rid of this element when it does occur in popular tales.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
These Fairy Books, however, are not written by the Editor, as he has often explained, ‘out of his own head.’ The stories are taken from those told by grannies to grandchildren in many countries and in many languages—French, Italian, Spanish, Catalan, Gaelic, Icelandic, Cherokee, African, Indian, Australian, Slavonic, Eskimo, and what not. The stories are not literal, or word by word translations, but have been altered in many ways to make them suitable for children. Much has been left out in places, and the narrative has been broken up into conversations, the characters telling each other how matters stand, and speaking for themselves, as children, and some older people, prefer them to do. In many tales, fairly cruel and savage deeds are done, and these have been softened down as much as possible; though it is impossible, even if it were desirable, to conceal the circumstance that popular stories were never intended to be tracts and nothing else. Though they usually take the side of courage and kindness, and the virtues in general, the old story-tellers admire successful cunning as much as Homer does in the Odyssey. At least, if the cunning hero, human or animal, is the weaker, like Odysseus, Brer Rabbit, and many others, the story-teller sees little in intellect but superior cunning, by which tiny Jack gets the better of the giants. In the fairy tales of no country are ‘improper’ incidents common, which is to the credit of human nature, as they were obviously composed mainly for children. It is not difficult to get rid of this element when it does occur in popular tales.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book Outlines of the Women's Franchise Movement in New Zealand by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The History of Tasmania (Complete) by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Two Supercargoes: Adventures in Savage Africa by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Anthropophyteia (Complete) by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Shakespeare, Personal Recollections by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Old Hungarian Fairy Tales by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Voyages From Montreal Through the Continent of North America to the Frozen and Pacific Oceans in 1789 and 1793 (Complete) by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Solar Biology by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Complete Club Book for Women: Including Subjects, Material and References for Study Programs Together With a Constitution and By-Laws; Rules of Order; Instructions How to Make a Year Book; Suggestions for Practical Community Work; A Resume of Wha by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Operas Every Child Should Know: Descriptions of The Text and Music of Some of The Most Famous Masterpieces by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Zigzag Journeys in Europe: Vacation Rambles in Historic Lands by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Poems by Emily Dickinson by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Mountain Moggy: The Stoning of the Witch by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Merely Mary Ann by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Perkins the Fakeer: A Travesty on Reincarnation by Andrew Lang
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy