Enigma of Symbols in Fairy Tales. Zimmer's Dialogue Renewed
| Author: | McCully, Robert | |
| Year: | 1991 | |
| Pages: | 102 | |
| ISBN: | 0-88946-498-7 978-0-88946-498-8 | |
| Price: | $119.95 + shipping | |
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Takes up where Heinrich Zimmer left off in The King and the Corpse, in which Zimmer takes the position that the ancient symbolic tales and scripts cannot be pinned to a particular theory, as they are in Bettelheim's Freudian approach or in Marie von Franz's Jungian analysis. Examines six well-known fairy tales, listening for the many-faceted intimations common to all enduring art forms. Considers fairy tales as retold dreams, nets that catch hidden psychological realities embedded in the folk-soul, common to any age or time.
Reviews
"If you are in the market for a new interpretive approach to the study of fairy tales - something beyond Bruno Bettelheim's Freudian or Marie-Louise von Franz's Jungian outlook - then turn to Prof. Robert McCully's annotated chapbook . . . . The book is studded with gems." - Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
". . . not an abstract clinical analysis but the perspective of a man attuned as much to his own children as to his psychological expertise...with the `third ear' to the metaphorical language of life's deeper revelations. The book is free of psychological jargon, and just plain fun . . . . the range of stories presented and the variety of symbols discussed make it possible for readers to do their own interpreting. McCully is a true teacher in this respect, modeling an accessible approach in such a way that it seems easily generalized. . . . McCully also critiques the damaging effects of our culture on the imaginations of our children. We fail to respect intuitive language and so we replace fairy tales with dull text books and unimaginative television, robbing children of fantasy. . . . he does give us something vitally important to examine about our educational system." _ Katherine Ramsland in Magic Blend
"Most important, it has a noteworthy message: that we rob our children of their heritage by failing to introduce them to fairy tales, and that some modern versions lose in the transition. . . . I can recommend this book. It is a welcome addition to studies by David Hart, Marie-Louise von Franz, C.G. Jung, and a terrific relief from the genitocentric obsessions of Freudians. . . " - Bulletin, C.G. Jung Club New York
". . . not an abstract clinical analysis but the perspective of a man attuned as much to his own children as to his psychological expertise...with the `third ear' to the metaphorical language of life's deeper revelations. The book is free of psychological jargon, and just plain fun . . . . the range of stories presented and the variety of symbols discussed make it possible for readers to do their own interpreting. McCully is a true teacher in this respect, modeling an accessible approach in such a way that it seems easily generalized. . . . McCully also critiques the damaging effects of our culture on the imaginations of our children. We fail to respect intuitive language and so we replace fairy tales with dull text books and unimaginative television, robbing children of fantasy. . . . he does give us something vitally important to examine about our educational system." _ Katherine Ramsland in Magic Blend
"Most important, it has a noteworthy message: that we rob our children of their heritage by failing to introduce them to fairy tales, and that some modern versions lose in the transition. . . . I can recommend this book. It is a welcome addition to studies by David Hart, Marie-Louise von Franz, C.G. Jung, and a terrific relief from the genitocentric obsessions of Freudians. . . " - Bulletin, C.G. Jung Club New York