What fairy tales give the child is his first clear idea of the possible defeat of bogey. The baby has known the dragon intimately ever since he had an imagination. What the fairy tale provides for him is a St. George to kill the dragon.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Fairy tales teach children that monsters can be defeated by providing a hero to fight them.
- In plain terms
- Kids imagine dragons but tales give them a hero to kill the dragon.
- What can you take from it?
- Stories help children face fears by showing victory.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do stories help children cope with fear?
Another view
It assumes all children respond the same way to these stories.
More from Gilbert Keith Chesterton
Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before.
Permalink to quote #18 Men do not differ much about what things they will call evils; they differ enormously about what evils they will call excusable.
Permalink to quote #20 A man must be orthodox upon most things, or he will never even have time to preach his own heresy.
Permalink to quote #17
Related quotes
'Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.'
Gilbert Keith ChestertonGilbert Keith Chesterton quote #186 The Schoolboy, with his satchel in his hand, Whistling aloud to bear his courage up.
Robert BlairRobert Blair quote #1 He who has overcome his fears will truly be free.
AristotleAristotle quote #1