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Self-Realization in Tales. Psychological Aspects of the Tale

Summary/Abstract: This research on self-realization (accomplissement de soi) in tales emphasizes a philosophic problem of special importance - the building up of the Ego, the process, in which the meaning of life is achieved for every individual and his own identity is formed. In order to characterize this process, the author draws a general comparison between texts of oral and written culture. He makes the conclusion that in tales belonging to written culture, such as Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Little Mermaid", the hero realizes himself alone and the metamorphoses take place within himself, so he does not need a "magical assistant". Apart from that, this type of tales refers to the European philosophy of the artistic genius and the religious tradition of a Protestant type of Platonism. Self-realization concerns two other types of relations as well - mostly with the previous generation, represented by the mother or the stepmother. Through these relations the "own", i.e. the Ego, is built up in a complex and contradictory dialogue with the "other". In this process a genetic "recognition" takes place, owing to the close relationship, and thus the individual discovers his identity again. The author uses examples from "Cinderella", "The Fairies", "Vassilissa the Beautiful", "The Donkey Skin" and others.

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