The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales by Bruno Bettelheim

"The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales" by Bruno Bettelheim is an influential work of non-fiction which examines the classic tales of Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, and Charles Perrault. Published in 1976, this acclaimed book reexamines the classic stories through Bettelheim’s psychoanalytic and anthropological methodologies and argues that the stories we understand as ‘fairy tales’ are in fact powerful therapeutic tools.

The book’s title, ‘The Uses of Enchantment’ is an apt description of the text's purpose. In his Psycho-Analytic Interpretation of the Tales from the Brothers Grimm, Bettelheim examines the hidden meanings behind the surface structure of tales such as ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ and ‘ Snow--White’, showing how these stories can act as a tool for psychological development. By teasing out the symbolic meanings of these tales, Bettelheim demonstrates how these stories can take children along the path from fantasy to reality.

Bettelheim argues that these tales provide a safe vehicle for children to explore their own psychological development. He sees each tale as an initiation for the child to psychologically mature, allowing them to face danger and overcome obstacles. Through the use of stories and the psychological underpinnings of the hero’s journey, the child is enabled to take control of their own life in a safe, non-threatening way.

The author discusses various archetypal characters and their associated symbolic roles, including the Hunter, the Witch, the Ogre, the King, and the Peasant. Each character symbolises various aspects of the child’s psychological development and through the use of these archetypes, Bettelheim believes a child can begin to understand their own personal struggles and learn to confront them safely in the form of story.

Not content to simply examine the therapeutic effect of fairy tales, Bettelheim also delves into the sometimes-neglected history of the development of the tales themselves. Drawing on historical references from antiquity, he examines the roots of these stories in oral tradition, showing how mythical elements were integrated into the tales. He examines how the different versions were often used as a way of transmitting moral lessons in a non-threatening way, as well as providing comfort in a frightening and troublesome world.

In addition to discussing the therapeutic and historical uses of fairy tales, Bettelheim also outlines the various elements of the genre. He discusses the need for certain magical elements, narrative patterns, plots, and narrators to distinguish the stories from everyday life. He also looks at the role of the imagination in creating fairy-tale adventures, suggesting that tales can be used to help aid a child’s creative expression and develop their problem-solving skills.

Bettelheim’s work is hailed as tender, provocative and insightful and has had a lasting and influential impact on the study of fairy tales. By seeking to understand the hidden meanings of such tales, Bettelheim provides a powerful tool for psychological development in children and adults alike. The Uses of Enchantment is a must-read for those interested in exploring the therapeutic and cultural value of fairy tales.