A study of fairy-tale motifs in selected young adult novels

Using content analysis, this study examined fairy-tale motifs in selected young adult novels published in the 1980's. Eight highly-acclaimed young adult novels were selected for this study:

Jacob Have I Loved (1980) by Katherine Paterson

Notes for Another Life (1981) by Sue Ellen Bridgers

Dogsong (1985) by Gary Paulsen

Izzy, Willy-Nilly (1986) by Cynthia Voigt

The Goats (1987) by Brock Cole

Permanent Connections (1987) by Sue Ellen Bridgers

Fade (1988) by Robert Cormier

Eva (1989) by Peter Dickinson Four fairy-tale motifs were found and discussed. They are the following:

The Helpers

The Unpromising Hero and Heroine

Abandoned Children

Magic Chapters I and II introduced the study and reviewed related literature. In Chapter III, the fairy-tale motif of the helpers was discussed. The helper is also a strong motif in the young adult novels. Seven of the eight selected novels contain this motif, all except The Goats. The wise helpers in both genres of literature are usually old and unpleasant-looking, but able to provide needed help to the protagonists. Chapter IV was devoted to the fairy-tale motif of the unpromising hero and heroine. The fairy-tale protagonist is often an abused stepchild or a simpleton. This motif is found in Jacob Have I Loved and The Goats, in which the protagonists are neglected and underestimated by other characters. But as the stories end, these unpromising heroes and heroines are able to demonstrate their strengths and become real heroic figures. Chapter V was about abandoned children. It happens in both fairy tales and young adult novels that parents relinquish their parental rights and forsake their children. This motif is in The Goats and Notes for Another Life. The motif of magic was the main focus in Chapter VI. The man-to-animal transformation threads through the novel Eva, in which teenaged Eva, like her fairy-tale counterparts, experiences humiliation and disgrace after her transformation into a chimpanzee. Magic invisibility is found in Fade. Like his fairy-tale peers, the protagonist, Paul, exercises his magic power in voyeurism. Instead of marrying a beautiful princess as is often the case in many fairy-tale endings, Paul suffers from the guilt brought by knowing too much of people's secrets. Chapter VII concluded the study. This chapter included a discussion of the significance of the findings and implications for future research.