Shadow and Evil in Fairy Tales

<b>A renowned psychologist examines fairy tales through a Jungian lens revealing what they can teach us about the darkest sides of human behavior<br> </b><br> 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:<br><br> &#149;&#160;How different aspects of the &#147;shadow&#148;&#151;all the affects and attitudes that are unconscious to the ego personality&#151;are personified in the giants and monsters ghosts and demons evil kings and wicked witches of fairy tales<br> &#149;&#160;How problems of the shadow manifest differently in men and women<br> &#149;&#160;What fairy tales say about the kinds of behavior and attitudes that invite evil<br> &#149;&#160;How Jung&#146;s technique of Active imagination can be used to overcome overwhelming negative emotions<br> &#149;&#160;How ghost stories and superstitions reflect the psychology of grieving<br> &#149;&#160;What fairy tales advise us about whether to struggle against evil or turn the other cheek<br><br> 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&#151;the innermost Self which is beyond the struggle between the opposites of good and evil.