Some day you
will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again
C. S. Lewis
To me, one of the
coolest things about animation is this medium's ability to capture a story and move
audiences around the globe. Similar to live-action, animated movies help me see
the world from various perspectives. The fictional characters of these stories
urge me to understand and empathize with others in the “real” world.
Unlike live-action,
however, animation has a specific sort of story-telling “tied” to it. When most
people hear the word ‘animation,’ they automatically think of fairytales and
imaginary worlds.
In his article On Fairy-Stories,
J.R.R Tolkien defines a fairytale as
a story “which touches on or uses Faerie, whatever its own main purpose may be: satire, adventure, morality, fantasy. Faerie itself may perhaps most nearly be translated by Magic…”[1]
According to Tolkien, fairytales and fantasy incorporate elements out of the ordinary, such as magic, that together relate an underlying reality or truth about real life.
I bring this article up not only because fairytales and animation often share similar storylines that revolve around fantastical events. I believe that animation and fairytales also have
something else in common – namely that each is believed to be for children only.
This connection between
children and fairytales is one of the main things discussed by Tolkien in his article.
For better or for
worse, as he writes, the worth of fairytales depends on our perception of
children and what they like to engage in. He explains that a child is often
seen as a different type of creature – an immature member of the family. Many adults therefore assign fairytales to children
automatically because they assume only children could engage in something so far from reality. In the end, he writes, adults dismiss the value of fairytales. [3]
According to
Tolkien, shunning fairytales like this is a real shame since there is much
worth to be found in them, even for adults. As he writes:
“At least it will be plain that in my opinion fairy-stories should not be specially associated with children… If fairy-story as a kind is worth reading at all it is worthy to be written for and read by adults.”[4]
Tolkien thus calls not
only for adults to engage in fairytales and keep their passion for the art form
throughout life – he also encourages story-writers to create fairytales that adults can find depth and meaning in.
 |
| Kay Nielsen (source: 50watts) |
He believes that when stories are
made for children with the view that children are somehow different from
grown-ups and more gullible, we create works of art that alienate adults. These
kinds of fairytales will be “banished” and forgotten by children as they grow up and and become adults.[5]
He wishes to
see stories that both children and adults will enjoy – stories in which each
member of the family will find elements they get something out of; that fit
children and are yet within their measure. He encourages fairytales to, “like
[children’s] clothes,” allow for growth.[6]
 |
| Edmund Dulac (source: johncoulthart) |
Since animation and
fairytales are closely linked, I think many of Tolkien’s points can be
related back to our perception of animation. For many people working in the animation industry today, a complex juxtaposition exists between wanting to tell fantastical
stories and also desiring for adult movie-goers to acknowledge the art form. After all, an animated movie takes hundreds of talented artists many years to create. A lot of hard work and passion goes into creating each single frame. The fact that the final DVD is often hidden away in the corner of a “children’s” section of a shop can be a bitter pill to
swallow, depending on one’s outlook.
 |
| Claire Keane (source: claireonacloud) |
But like Tolkien writes about the worth of
fairytales, perhaps the solution to this “problem” could lie not only within
adults opening up to watching animated movies – but also, in part, within the
story writing process itself.
As we, the aspiring animators and experienced
filmmakers alike, continue to push the boundaries of what a fairytale consists
of, we need to constantly challenge our own perception of what “children like”
or should watch. In this way, we can strive to make movies that capture a sense
of hope and joy both children and adults alike will treasure.
I really
enjoyed reading Tolkien’s article, so I thought I’d share it and my thoughts
about it here on this blog. If, like me, you are curious to know about the
origins of fairytales and read about Tolkien’s views on fictional
worlds, you can follow this link.
-Christine-
1 J.R.R. Tolkien,
“On Fairy-Stories,” in The Monsters and
the Critics and the Other Essays, ed. Christopher Tolkien (London: George Allen and Unwin, 1983):
114.
2 Ibid., 154.
3 Ibid., 129-130.
4 Ibid., 135-136.
5 Ibid., 131.
6 Ibid., 137-138.