What cannot be talked about cannot be put to rest. And if it is not, the wounds will fester from generation to generation.
Bruno BettelheimRead
The delight we experience when we allow ourselves to respond to a fairy tale, the enchantment we feel, comes not from the psychological meaning of the tale (although this contributes to it) but from its literary qualities-the tale itself as a work of art.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The joy we find in fairy tales arises from their artistic qualities rather than solely their psychological interpretations.
Bruno Bettelheim highlights that the pleasure and enchantment we derive from fairy tales stem from their literary characteristics and artistry. While psychological meanings do play a role, the intrinsic value of the narrative structure, style, and imagination inherent in the tale itself evoke a more profound emotional response, allowing us to appreciate it as a work of art.
Themes
Fairy TaleArtLiterary QualitiesEnchantmentResponse
In practice
Example use cases
During a storytelling session, I might share this quote to highlight the beauty of literature.
More from Bruno Bettelheim
All quotes →Raising children is a creative endeavor, an art rather than a science.
Bruno BettelheimRead
The fear of failure is so great, it is no wonder that the desire to do right by one's children has led to a whole library of books offering advice on how to raise them
Bruno BettelheimRead
Punishment may make us obey the orders we are given, but at best it will only teach an obedience to authority, not a self-control which enhances our self-respect.
Bruno BettelheimRead
Not only is our love for our children sometimes tinged with annoyance, discouragement, and disappointment, the same is true for the love our children feel for us.
Bruno BettelheimRead
The ability to read becomes devalued when what one has learned to read adds nothing of importance to one's life.
Bruno BettelheimRead
Similar quotes
Designers take care of everything around us. Everything that is around us, this table, this chair, this lamp, this pen has been designed. All of these things, everything has been designed by somebody.
Massimo VignelliRead
Spiritually I am wherever my spirit allows me to be, and that is not necessarily in the future... Art never seems to make me peaceful or pure.
Willem De KooningRead
Most actors, if you ask them if they play guitar, they'll say they played guitar for 20 years, but what they really mean is they've owned a guitar for 20 years.
Oscar IsaacRead
We, as film-makers, are privileged. We can make people cry or laugh. We can make them think and feel. It is a great privilege and a great responsibility.
Haskell WexlerRead
When I was seven or eight years old, I began to read the science-fiction magazines that were brought by guests into my grandparents' boarding house in Waukegan, Illinois. Those were the years when Hugo Gernsback was publishing 'Amazing Stories,' with vivid, appallingly imaginative cover paintings that fed my hungry imagination.
Ray BradburyRead
Oh! Moon of Alabama We now must say good-bye We've lost our good old mama And must have whiskey Oh, you know why!
Bertolt BrechtRead