Fairy tales are one of the forms of text, which we listen to and encounter in childhood. They are familiar to us and the most important features of a fairy tale are even known to the smallest of us. In doing so, we have certain expectations when the wolf is led into the text and shudder when a witch rises into the story. Fortunately, however, we know that in the end everything will be good, because if they have not died, they still live today.
And, of course, everyone knows the typical beginning of grim child and house tales, which usually begin with It was once and end with the above phrase. But, of course, these are not the only features, and these phrases are also true of some and mainly German or Danish fairy tales.
Reason enough to look into the details and to show the characteristics of the fairy tale, which are like a thread through the numerous texts and on the basis of which we are relatively sure to distinguish a fairy tale from a narrative or short story.
Characteristics of a fairy tale
We have chosen a simple list form for the presentation. For each point you can find some notes or explanations under the overview of the characteristics.
Often fairy tales with the phrase Once upon a time … and end with And if they have not died, they still live today or even And they lived happily ever after.
In principle, fairy tales do not contain anything real and are more likely to be found in a wonderful or abstract world.
The place and the time are undefined and will not be explained in more detail.
Animals, things and plants often appear as helper and have certain characteristics (→ foxes and their characteristics)
The hero is faced with a task which he must solve in the course of history. This is always successful.
However, the hero usually has a weakness, which sometimes destroys him and threatens the task or provokes the problem at all.
Sayings, songs and verses play a central role in the fairy tale. Often there are magic formulas or magic rhymes.
Numbers play a central role in fairy tales. For example, the numerals 3, 7 and 12 are typical features.
The story always ends happily, often ending with morality.
Often, the author of the fairy tale is unknown, as it comes from collections (folk tales).
Characteristics in fairy tale with Little Red Riding Hood
It is, of course, easy to name any features, without showing them as examples. Therefore, we would now like to show you the important aspects of the fairy-tale “Little Red Riding Hood”.
Little Red Riding Hood is also ideal because all the features listed are really included in it. However, this does not always have to be the case, and sometimes fairy tales, which do not contain one aspect or another, still appear fabulous.
Once Upon a time
The introduction is created in Little Red Riding Hood with the typical phrase “Once upon a time.” Do not be irritated by the word prostitute. Thus the fairy tale was originally published and published. Only later edits replaced the word.
Once upon a time there was a little sweet girl who had loved anyone who looked at her, but most of all her grandmother, who did not know what to give to the child.
The fairy tale is not real, not real
While we may argue that some people argue that they are talking to the animals in their environment, it is, of course, not real. In Little Red Riding Hood, however, the wolf speaks and also the salvation of the young girl is more than strange or surreal.
Looking into the text, it becomes obvious that Little Red Riding Hood and Grandmother were vespeered by the wolf, but he was able to climb up again. Nor does the cutting of the hunter prevent the wolf from running a few meters, only to stumble and fall dead. But this is not possible in our reality.
As he had done a few cuts, he saw the red cap light up, and a few cuts, the girl jumped out and shouted, “Oh, how frightened I was, how dark in the wolf’s body!”
And then the old grandmother came out alive and could barely breathe. Rothkäppchen, however, quickly fetched great stones, so that they filled the wolf’s body, and as he woke up, he wanted to jump, but the stones were so heavy that he fell immediately and fell dead.
The heroine in the fairy tale
Little Red Riding Hood is the heroine of the fairy tale and also has the typical characteristics. In principle it is their task to bring a basket of treats to the grandmother and take the straight path.
However, she herself is guilty of the wolf eating the grandmother and herself by not following the mother’s instructions and getting off the road. This gives the wolf a lead and the little intrigue takes its course.
[…] and when you come out, be kind-hearted and do not run away from the way […] […] “when I bring a fresh bouquet to the grandmother, she will also delight her; it is so early in the day that I arrive at the right time, “ran into the forest from the path, and sought flowers.Little Red Riding Hood, then, has a weakness (carelessness, is not obedient), which will be its doom. Their mission or task (bringing basket to grandmother) is thereby endangered and yet solved by the girl.
Note: In the original form of the text, Little Red Riding Hood also shows the typical morality by telling the wolf to try again. This time, however, the girl keeps to the mother’s instructions and comes to good things.
Rothkäppchen, on the other hand, took his leave and went straight on, and told the grandmother that the wolf had met him who had wished him good-day, but had looked so badly out of his sight
Place and time are not named
Of course the fairy tale plays at certain places. Namely, Rotkäppchen’s home, the forest and the house of the grandmother.
However, these can not be classified geographically. So we do not know where the fairy tale plays or whether the story is settled in the north or south, let alone if there are real cities nearby.
Similar assertions can be made in connection with time. We do not know in which year the wolf will meet us, what month it is, or at what time Little Red Riding Hood is on its way.
Note: This little trick also has a background. The fairy tale becomes universal and can apply equally to many people.
The happy ending in the fairy tale
And, of course, Little Red Riding Hood also ends happily, and even a morality for the reader or listener. So the girl and the grandmother are freed from the belly of the wolf and Little Red Riding Hood learns that it should follow the instructions of the mother.
By the way, this characteristic can be found almost in every fairy tale, which makes it possible to make a clear distinction between the fairy tale and other fabulous stories.
There all three were happy; the huntsman took off the fur from the wolf, and went home, the grandmother ate the cake, and drank the wine that Rothkäppchen had brought, and recovered, but Rothkäppchen thought, “You will not leave your life alone again from the way into the forest , if the mother has forbidden you. “