Pan's Labyrinth

[Prudence]

Originally Posted by Eliza Hodgkins 1812

I actually wonder if the earliest tales were anything but stories for all ages. I can't say if spoken word was censored around the campfire when these tales were first spun. Be something to look into, anyway. Regardless, they were always dark and they were always meant to stimulate our most base and terrible fears.

According to some theorists, the traditional, dark fairy tales are representative of rites of passage, transitioning into adulthood. I can't remember all the components, but there are elements like the quest, the first "test" that is a form of aid in disguise (like baba yaga) that provides the item or information the hero/ine will ultimately need to be successful. I wish I knew where the hell my notes on this were.