Common Elements and Conventions Found In Fairy Tales
Special beginning and/or ending words
~Fairy Tales often start with 'Once upon a time' and end in 'they lived happily ever after.
Good character
~ Often there is a kind, innocent or clever character who is portrayed as the 'good' character.
Evil character
~ Usually, evil characters are witches, demons, an evil stepmother, a sinister imp.
In the end, the evil character usually loses.
Royalty
~ There is often castles,princes, princesses, kings and queens.
Poverty
~ There are usually poor characters.
– Characters who are less fortunate than others. Extreme contrasts between rich and poor.
Magic and Enchantments
~ In most traditional fairy tales there is magic or magical elements or creatures such as fairies, trolls, elves, goblins, etc.
~Often characters wishes come true.
Universal Truths
~ Traditional fairy tales commonly touch on some universal experiences (i.e., coming of age) or hopes (i.e., to have enough food and love)
~Fairy Tales often start with 'Once upon a time' and end in 'they lived happily ever after.
Good character
~ Often there is a kind, innocent or clever character who is portrayed as the 'good' character.
Evil character
~ Usually, evil characters are witches, demons, an evil stepmother, a sinister imp.
In the end, the evil character usually loses.
Royalty
~ There is often castles,princes, princesses, kings and queens.
Poverty
~ There are usually poor characters.
– Characters who are less fortunate than others. Extreme contrasts between rich and poor.
Magic and Enchantments
~ In most traditional fairy tales there is magic or magical elements or creatures such as fairies, trolls, elves, goblins, etc.
~Often characters wishes come true.
Universal Truths
~ Traditional fairy tales commonly touch on some universal experiences (i.e., coming of age) or hopes (i.e., to have enough food and love)