FutureLearn

Fairy Tales: Meanings, Messages, and Morals (FutureLearn)

Offered by The University of Newcastle, Australia,
Fairy Tales: Meanings, Messages, and Morals (FutureLearn)

Build your skills in literary analysis and creative writing by exploring the meaning of fairy tales. Discover the fascinating circumstances and meanings behind fairy tales. On this course, you will look deeper into the enchanting and surprisingly dark themes of several well-known European fairy tales. What were the authors thinking? What were the cultural and personal concerns that have shaped these stories? What are the readers being asked to believe?

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By considering the historical context of fairy tales and examining the characters, styles, and plots, you will discover that the intended morals of the original stories may not be exactly what you first thought.

What topics will you cover?

  • Exploring fairy tales
  • Interpreting literary narratives
  • Cultural context in literature

What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Demonstrate close acquaintance with three famous fairy tales.
  • Explain the significance of cultural contexts in shaping fairy tales.
  • Interpret narratives at basic level.
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