Myth and Folktale in Children's Fiction

This module begins with the discussion of the oral tradition for children and the place of myth and folktale within it. The first part of the module will concentrate on the folktale and fairy-tale. Topics for discussion will include: the main theories of folktales and fairytales; the work of Perrault and the Grimms; Nineteenth Century fairytales; folktale and women; the way European folktales have been reworked for children in different forms (including the animated films of Disney and others) in this century; and folktales from different parts of the world.

The module will conclude with discussion of different theories of myth and the influence of certain mythical stories or collections of myth on contemporary children's literature.