by Brooke Brandtjen 

At Hillsdale, quoting Plato, Shakespeare, and Churchill is de rigueur. It is not only chic, but wholly expected that you be well acquainted with the most noble literary icons that have arisen since Ancient Greece. This is both a burden to bear and a reward to reap. However, amid all of this, perhaps there ought to be a space left for fantasy. Fairy tales, which we commonly regard as childish, are very often the cornerstone of mankind’s fascination with storytelling. The whimsical characters, the daring adventures, and the alluring heroism pitted against loathsome villainy compose our enjoyment of literature. Yet, in the world of academia, we neglect the enduring simplicity inherent in fairy tales. 

Traces of our fascination with fairy tales can be found abundantly in modern culture. When Walt Disney opened his first theme park in 1955, he included several different ‘lands’ to create the idyllic atmosphere he sought. Among these were Tomorrowland, Frontierland, Adventureland, and Fantasyland, which centers around a lovely gold-and-sky-blue parapeted castle alongside King Arthur’s carousel, which consisted of finely carved and elaborately painted creatures. Upon its opening, Fantasyland was dedicated as “a land of imagination, hopes, and dreams.” When compared with the ugly entrapments of postmodern philosophy, political discord, and religious dissension, these gentle concepts seem almost primitive. It is tempting to consider them ignorant. Nevertheless, they embody a spirit that is crucial to real intellectual integrity. 

The human soul is animated by a passion for storytelling. Good stories allow us to exercise our creativity, whether it is through weaving together compelling narratives or being enchanted by the intricately crafted tales we hear. They are a way for us to translate our experiences and pass down emotions and imaginings. Stories may either bring us into a world known and loved or give us the opportunity to revel in the profound newness of something heretofore unknown. Engaging with stories puts us face to face with the familiar and strange, and as a result, our hearts and minds are opened. 

Fairy tales also offer people the chance to encounter meaningful tales about morality in a relatively low-stakes atmosphere. We approach many old works of literature with a well-deserved reverence. However, when these classic works are systematically picked apart layer by layer, the beauty of their simplicity is lost. Straightforward stories are easily translatable: they can be understood by young children, passed between cultures, and persist from generation to generation. 

Yet, why fairy tales? Why tell stories about magic, superpowers, talking animals, and kingdoms in far-flung lands? If the heart of storytelling is mere simplicity, we could subsist off bare bones stories about ordinary people in small towns going about their nondescript days. However, this is not the case. We become enamored with stories that open us up to the possibilities and risks of adventure. Adventures breed the potential for danger and tragedy, but also stir up a desire for success created through hope. We want the knight to defeat the tyrant, we want the princess to be woken by true love’s kiss, we want Pinocchio to become a real boy. These stories inspire hope for a happy ending. 

We often associate adulthood with a pessimistic outlook. As people grow up, they become exposed to the lackluster realities of flat tires, taxes, and bad government leaders. There is nothing overtly magical about sitting in traffic or trying to fix the Wi-Fi. As a result, optimism is too often limited to the youth. Children are extremely cheerful, anticipating that their next big adventure or fairy godmother is right around the corner. Adults toil over paperwork and office politics while children allow themselves to dream about jungles, spaceships, and Never Land. 

Returning to fairy tales as adults gives us the chance to hope and dream like children again, just as Walt Disney declared we should at the opening of Fantasyland. The tendency to overcomplicate the world can be diminished by reading fairy tales that bring us back to a mindset of innocence imbued with hope. There is a time to exercise our intelligence, quote great speeches, cite philosophers, and analyze layers of narratives. However, in a world that despises hope, there is also a time for us to be dreamers. There is infinite strength in staying curious, upbeat, and expectant when everything around us echoes discouragement. Perhaps one of the best ways to resist the malaise of modern life is to set off on a fairy-tail adventure and allow ourselves to imagine a life of loveliness and hope once again.