There are many types of stories in the world, and classifying them can be tricky. This is more than simply determining genre, but finding the difference between ordinary fiction, myth, legend, folk tales, and fairy tales. Within this class, it is the fairy and folk tales that we focus on.
Folk and fairy tales are stories set within a world contain fantastical but normalized elements. Within a fairy tale, no one will question a talking cat or think twice about a witch bringing winter several months early. At the same time, these phenomenon will not be contemplated or analyzed as one would a typical aspect of life. These elements of magic and fantasy are accepted as existing and not contemplated beyond that.
In terms of a role, folk and fairy tales reflect the collective subconscious of a group or society. Within it one can see reflected the values and fears of the author and their people. Forests, swamps, and frozen plains become the homes of evil, wolves and unmarried old women threaten children, and magic curses befall those who are impolite.
Collectively, fairy and folk tales are stories with normalized fantastic elements that display the cultural values held by the society in both region and zeitgeist.
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