Fairy Tale Analysis: Bell Hooks' 'To Love Justice'

Please analyze and interpret the fairy tale "To Love Justice", found on p. 53-57 in the book "Once Upon A Time".Your essay must include an analysis of relevant points from the text, an interpretation of the analyzed elements as well as at least two analytical methods of your own choice.

“To Love Justice” is an essay written by Bell Hooks. The essay contains the incredibility of essential messages, ethics, moral and educates, readers and children as well as adults. The values seen in Brother Grimm and H.C. Andersen are usually associated to religious beliefs, such as good, bad, revenge, desire, the good Samaritan. Fairy tales are introduced in a young age, which contributes to contrast thinking, thus the curiosity has a purpose of clarifying doubts about e.g. life or maturing. Showing that childhood is like a path we all have, that meanders, however it must be navigated and lead the right direction. However, this essay thematizes the importance of trusting your values and stick with your gut, which lead to finding your true self. It can be argued that fairytales have set a mark on the narrator as she grew up in a troubled environment. Hooks might have been a victim of the unpleasant environment, which has reflected in his writing of “To Love Justice”. The narrator is a female first-person narrator, “myself as a little girl” (l. 19, p. 53) describing how she has had a “troubled” childhood. Fairy tales helped the narrator to see the beauty in nature and find justice in her life. “was a balm to my wounded spirits during my childhood. It was a source of hope”. (l. 6 p. 53).. The narrator appeals to the fairy tale “The Goose”, by Brother Grimm, as “it was situated in a world where nature was presented as both benevolent and threatening” (l. 13-15 p.53). It also helped her cope with the world without happiness. She feels like she can identify with the princess, as there is no given name, and the imagination has no barriers. The fairy tale involves a princess who goes on a journey find happiness. In the starting point she is protected by her mother but loses the protection as she grows through challenges. She has to rely on her true values, which leads her to getting justice and achieved what she searched for, happiness.