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- Fairy tales have been used for teaching lessons for centuries. They provide models for virtuous (and unvirtuous) living, offer answers to "big questions" about life, and bring us characters from around the world. School for Virtue
- Beyond the distinctions of good and evil, fairy tales are replete with examples of the natural virtues in particular, and their heroes and heroines, while not always perfect, provide models of virtuous living. Snow White succumbs to the temptations offered her by the witch, but she continues to strive for goodness and ultimately commits herself to the truly "good life."
- Modern culture exalts the individual who climbs to the top. Revenge is sweet, as in Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.
- Agendas
- Stories handed down in the oral tradition often did have the intention of imparting messages to the next generation. Norms for behavior were often self-evident, as in the cautionary message of Little Red Riding Hood.
- Today's society widely believes that the princesses in old tales were weak, defenseless women who let men take advantage of them, and modern versions often attempt to portray women who are not in need of a Prince Charming. Brave would be one such example, though the theme recurs quite frequently.
- Big Questions
- Fairy tales were often used to teach children about social mores and coming of age. Consider the earlier versions of Rapunzel, in which the heroine secretly marries the prince in her tower, giving birth to their twins in her exile.
- Over time, many fairy tales have been adapted for younger audiences than were originally intended, and this has sometimes led to trite, feel-good messages. The Disney movie Tangled offers a sweet message about believing in one's dreams without addressing life's questions.
- Grounds for Inculturation (GDC 109-110 et al.)
- Technically speaking, folk literature from around the world can be used to teach not simply about other cultures, but about truth. From Aesop's fables to Irish folktales, the messages of virtue in such stories are valuable. On the other hand, some authors take fairy tales and place them within a specific culture, which can be an effective means of reaching one's audience. For example, The Three Cajun Pigs effectively transfers a story into a different culture, bringing lessons of wisdom and dignity to that audience.
- While cultural traditions around the world often have versions of the tales with which our society is familiar, some modern retellings transfer stories into a different culture ineffectively, either through lack of research or weak connections. When this relates to the Faith, the General Directory for Catechesis points out, "It is not simply an external adaptation designed to make the Christian message more attractive or superficially decorative" (109). In an attempt to make the story relevant, A Cinderella Story takes the basic framework of Cinderella but leaves out any deeper meaning. While it may be presumed that the movie's creators had no evangelical intentions, those who seek to use modern interpretations of stories in catechesis should ensure that they offer an authentic interpretation of the virtue or doctrine.
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