Breaking the Spell: what fairytales tell us about authoritarianism
In The Uses of Enchantment, Bettelheim argued that fairytales are vital to psychological development because they allow children to work through unconscious fears — abandonment, chaos, evil — in symbolic form. The ogres, witches, and dark forests aren’t just fantasy. They’re metaphors for very real human fears: powerlessness, cruelty, betrayal, and the loss of moral order.
Now look at America today.
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Enter the Modern Ogre
Trump, to many, represents the return of the authoritarian strongman — the ogre who feeds on lies, divides families, hoards gold, and burns the village. Like the villains in classic tales, he appears invincible at first, supported by blind loyalty and dark magic (or in this case, dark money, disinformation, and judicial capture).
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Symbolic Parallels
• The Kingdom in Disarray: Just like in fairytales where the king is corrupt or asleep and the land suffers, America feels increasingly lawless and disordered under Trump’s influence. Institutions are weakening. Truth is warped. The climate burns.
• The Bewitched Citizenry: Bettelheim wrote that children need to confront stories where good and evil are stark — because moral clarity helps them navigate confusion. Today, millions seem caught in a spell, unable or unwilling to see the threat Trump poses, even as their freedoms erode.
The Hero’s Journey: In classic tales, the powerless rise — not because they’re perfect, but because they refuse to give up. We need that fairytale courage now: ordinary people defying a tyrant, reclaiming the narrative.
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Why This Matters
Bettelheim believed that fairytales teach us to endure despair, to believe that even in the darkest forests, there’s a way out — if we stay brave, hold to truth, and refuse to surrender to fear.
Thanks for that interesting comment. When the election happened, I had to send my characters to a safe place so they could regroup. The book instantly took a sharp turn. It will be interesting to reread this manuscript when some semblance of normalcy has returned (and I hope it does).
I commend you for being present for your daughters. We do not know the end of our story but we can all use kindness and love and support. You have the gift of all those things plus the ability to write something for your girls. My kids are now in their 50’s. If I could go back there are some things I would do differently but we are not always wise when don’t know what we don’t know. All parents for the most part do the best they can . I used to say kids don’t come with an instruction book. You, sir must have found one because you are being a great parent!
This is bittersweet and I have my faith to help me weather the storms of the times right now, but this is so touching. Your daughters will never forget you reading to them. I am 53 and still remember my now deceased father reading nightly to my sister and I. Truth be told, those times are my most cherished memories of him.
But for maybe 10 days when I was away for business or whatever, I've read to them every single night. My eldest is 14 now. We still read. There's no talk of not reading... ever!
I love that Walter. God bless you! All daughters need good fathers who invest in such important times shared in fatherly love with them. Those times bear no price tag in the nurturing of them. They are priceless.
We raise them not guaranteed they’ll live to raise their own.. this takes that moment of realization and longing we all experience- and historically most humans have had. That prayerful moment insight strikes us.
It is. All I want is more time with them.
Breaking the Spell: what fairytales tell us about authoritarianism
In The Uses of Enchantment, Bettelheim argued that fairytales are vital to psychological development because they allow children to work through unconscious fears — abandonment, chaos, evil — in symbolic form. The ogres, witches, and dark forests aren’t just fantasy. They’re metaphors for very real human fears: powerlessness, cruelty, betrayal, and the loss of moral order.
Now look at America today.
⸻
Enter the Modern Ogre
Trump, to many, represents the return of the authoritarian strongman — the ogre who feeds on lies, divides families, hoards gold, and burns the village. Like the villains in classic tales, he appears invincible at first, supported by blind loyalty and dark magic (or in this case, dark money, disinformation, and judicial capture).
⸻
Symbolic Parallels
• The Kingdom in Disarray: Just like in fairytales where the king is corrupt or asleep and the land suffers, America feels increasingly lawless and disordered under Trump’s influence. Institutions are weakening. Truth is warped. The climate burns.
• The Bewitched Citizenry: Bettelheim wrote that children need to confront stories where good and evil are stark — because moral clarity helps them navigate confusion. Today, millions seem caught in a spell, unable or unwilling to see the threat Trump poses, even as their freedoms erode.
The Hero’s Journey: In classic tales, the powerless rise — not because they’re perfect, but because they refuse to give up. We need that fairytale courage now: ordinary people defying a tyrant, reclaiming the narrative.
⸻
Why This Matters
Bettelheim believed that fairytales teach us to endure despair, to believe that even in the darkest forests, there’s a way out — if we stay brave, hold to truth, and refuse to surrender to fear.
We’re in that forest now.
Thanks for that interesting comment. When the election happened, I had to send my characters to a safe place so they could regroup. The book instantly took a sharp turn. It will be interesting to reread this manuscript when some semblance of normalcy has returned (and I hope it does).
A beautiful story from a masterful storyteller. Your magical family is gift, an escape from the tragic reality
Keep reading, and don't forget the voices, Walter.
Thank you Lisa ;)
I commend you for being present for your daughters. We do not know the end of our story but we can all use kindness and love and support. You have the gift of all those things plus the ability to write something for your girls. My kids are now in their 50’s. If I could go back there are some things I would do differently but we are not always wise when don’t know what we don’t know. All parents for the most part do the best they can . I used to say kids don’t come with an instruction book. You, sir must have found one because you are being a great parent!
Thank you Teri, I do my best. I just try to appreciate their magic.
This is bittersweet and I have my faith to help me weather the storms of the times right now, but this is so touching. Your daughters will never forget you reading to them. I am 53 and still remember my now deceased father reading nightly to my sister and I. Truth be told, those times are my most cherished memories of him.
But for maybe 10 days when I was away for business or whatever, I've read to them every single night. My eldest is 14 now. We still read. There's no talk of not reading... ever!
I love that Walter. God bless you! All daughters need good fathers who invest in such important times shared in fatherly love with them. Those times bear no price tag in the nurturing of them. They are priceless.
We raise them not guaranteed they’ll live to raise their own.. this takes that moment of realization and longing we all experience- and historically most humans have had. That prayerful moment insight strikes us.
What's wrong with you. Get to a shrink RIGHT NOW.