**A renowned psychologist examines fairy tales through a Jungian lens,
revealing what they can teach us about the darkest sides of human
behavior
**
Fairy tales seem to be innocent stories, yet they contain profound
lessons for those who would dive deep into their waters of meaning. In
this book, Marie-Louise von Franz uncovers some of the important lessons
concealed in tales from around the world, drawing on the wealth of her
knowledge of folklore, her experience as a psychoanalyst and a
collaborator with Jung, and her great personal wisdom. Among the many
topics discussed in relation to the dark side of life and human
psychology, both individual and collective, are:
- How different aspects of the "shadow"--all the affects and attitudes
that are unconscious to the ego personality--are personified in the
giants and monsters, ghosts, and demons, evil kings, and wicked witches
of fairy tales
- How problems of the shadow manifest differently in men and women
- What fairy tales say about the kinds of behavior and attitudes that
invite evil
- How Jung's technique of Active imagination can be used to overcome
overwhelming negative emotions
- How ghost stories and superstitions reflect the psychology of
grieving
- What fairy tales advise us about whether to struggle against evil or
turn the other cheek
Dr. von Franz concludes that every rule of behavior that we can learn
from the unconscious through fairy tales and dreams is usually a
paradox: sometimes there must be a physical struggle against evil and
sometimes a contest of wits, sometimes a display of strength or magic
and sometimes a retreat. Above all, she shows the importance of relying
on the central, authentic core of our being--the innermost Self, which
is beyond the struggle between the opposites of good and evil.
