Fairytales
Fairytales reflect our culture more than shape it, because some of them contain the aspects of male dominance and rule, which was very prominent at the time that they were written. Some fairytales also contain morals (such as in Little Red Riding Hood there is a message of don't talk to strangers) so they are shaping society with morals.
Little Red Riding Hood
Reflects:
- It contains the message of "don't talk to strangers" which is what children are taught today
- Society is becoming progressively more violent and tolerant to violence, which reflects the more violent versions of Little Red Riding Hood (when the woodman cuts open the wolf's stomach, or when Little Red Riding Hood fills the wolf with stones so that the wolf dies from the weight of them when he stands up)
- Little Red Riding Hood also has an aspect of male dominance, which is relevant to the times in which it was written. Little Red Riding Hood needs a woodman to help her to escape from the wolf's stomach, because she is a 'helpless girl' and is too weak and delicate to save herself.
- There are some versions of the story that are from different perspectives, such as "The Wolf's Story" in which the wolf is explaining that he isn't actually bad and that it was all Little Red Riding Hood's fault. This book is a humorous take on the original story.
Beauty and the Beast
- Shapes using morals
- Don't judge a book by its cover
- It's what's on the inside that counts
- Don't be rude or you will turn into a beast
- Don't break promises
Fables
Fables shape our culture rather than reflect it, because they are timeless and convey a moral and message, instead of describing how the culture was at the time they were written.
The Fox and the Grapes
"It is easy to despise what you cannot get"
Encourages people to give up (negative attitude)
Reflects the greediness of humans their want for material possessions
Also reflects the jealousy and how we always want things that we don't have
The Lion and the Mouse
"Little friends may prove great friends"
One good deed deserves another
Size doesn't matter
Even the weakest can repay kindness the greatest