It is usually assumed that children are the natural or the…
““It is usually assumed that children are the natural or the specially appropriate audience for fairy-stories. In describing a fairy-story which they think adults might possibly read for their own entertainment, reviewers frequently indulge in such waggeries as: "this book is for children from the ages of six to sixty." But I have never yet seen the puff of a new motor-model that began thus: "this toy will amuse infants from seventeen to seventy"; though that to my mind would be much more appropriate. Is there any essential connexion between children and fairy-stories? Is there any call for comment, if an adult reads them for himself? Reads them as tales, that is, not studies them as curios. Adults are allowed to collect and study anything, even old theatre programmes or paper bags.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Adults often dismiss fairy stories as child’s play, yet they can entertain and enlighten adults, challenging age-based audience limits.
In simple terms: Fairy tales can be valuable for adults too.
Key Takeaway
Embrace stories regardless of age.
Themes
imagination
literature
age
audience
education
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- teaching
- family reading
- creative writing
- media criticism
Key Concepts
cultural studies
psychology
storytelling
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we assign stories to ages?
- What can adults gain from fairy tales?
A Different Perspective
Adults may resist adult-oriented fairy tales due to cultural bias.