on fairy tales

"Fairy tales, then, are not responsible for producing in children fear, or any of the other shapes of fear; fairy tales do not give the child the idea of te evil or the ugly; that is in the child already, because it is in the world already. Fairy tales do not give a child his first idea of bogey. 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."
- G.K. Chesterton (from the essay "The Red Angel" in his series of reflections on everyday life Tremendous Trifles)

"The Red Angel" is an essay by G.K. Chesterton in response to a those who believe fairy tales are bad for children. He states in the essay that a lady had written him a letter saying "it is cruel to tell children fairy tales, because it frightens them." It is the origin of the quote:
     "Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed."
Or other variants of the quote that are attributed to G.K. Chesterton.

I truly enjoyed "The Red Angel", not only because it advocates fairy tales, but because also because of Chesterton's insights on the human condition. Chesterton states that "one small child can imagine monsters too big and black to get into any picture." Children are well aware of the evil that exists in the world and that "the fear does not come from fairy tales; the fear comes from the universe of the soul." Fairy tales teach children that they can overcome their fear. Through fairy tales, children are armed with hope rather being left to face their fears alone. "The Red Angel" was an interesting essay, I only read it because it was on the topic of fairy tales (which I love and have always loved). I am going to read more of Tremendous Trifles.