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 The Golden Chain of Homer by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Story of Creation as Told by Theology and by Science by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Sherlock Holmes: The Creeping Man by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Los Majos De Cádiz by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Boat-Building and Boating by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book From Farm House to the White House: The Life of George Washington, His Boyhood, Youth, Manhood Public and Private Life and Services by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Pirate Slaver: A Story of the West African Coast by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Historic Boyhoods by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Hill of Venus by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Was It Heaven or Hell by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Fourth Estate (Complete) by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Venetian School of Painting by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Great American Pie Company by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book How to Listen to Music: Hints and Suggestions to Untaught Lovers of the Art by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Don Orsino 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