123041 PS PS Literary Studies (2024W)

Once upon a time, there were tales which cast a powerful spell on generations, shaping our imagination with their enchanting narratives and iconic characters. Yet, beneath the surface of these beloved stories, beneath the familiar narratives of damsels in distress and knights in shining armour, lie complex and often dark origins…

In this proseminar, we will examine fairytales and retellings of fairytales across cultures and identities. Throughout, we will analyse novels and stories by writers, among them Angela Carter, Neil Gaiman, Marissa Meyer and Naomi Novik, and interpret them with the help of critical theorists, such as Bruno Bettelheim and Jack Zipes. We will delve into the historical, cultural, and literary contexts that shaped the development of these narratives, uncovering the often violent and disturbing elements that underpin the familiar. By analysing a diverse range of tales from different contexts, we will examine how fairytales and their retellings reflect and shape societal values, gender roles and power dynamics, with a particular emphasis on the re-imagination of the genre under the influence of feminism. Moreover, we will trace the genre’s journey from oral tradition to written expression and explore its subsequent adaptation to film and television.

Course outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of fairytales across cultures.
- Students will be able to analyse how gender, class, and other social identities are represented and reimagined in fairytales and their retellings.
- Students will get an understanding of the evolution of the genre from oral and written forms to its contemporary manifestations in film and television.
- Students will develop their practical skills in the analysis of literary texts and academic writing.

Content Warning: This course will explore mature themes, including violence, assault and death. The texts we will engage with may be disturbing or upsetting. Trigger warnings will be provided, but students should be aware of the course content before enrolling.
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