The NY Mythology Group

Please read the book if you intend to participate.

If you don't read the book, you are still welcomed to attend, however your participation should be minimum.

NOTE: Reading this book should help with the "amplification" of images within one's dreams as well.

Here is a summary of the book:

In Interpretation of Fairy Tales, Jungian analyst Marie-Louise von Franz reveals the rich psychological significance embedded in the world’s oldest and simplest stories. Fairy tales, she argues, are the purest and most universal expressions of the unconscious psyche — unfiltered by the cultural, historical, or personal layers that shape myths or legends.
Von Franz demonstrates how fairy tales offer symbolic maps of human development, particularly the individuation process — the journey toward becoming a whole, integrated self.

Drawing on Jungian concepts such as archetypes, the shadow, the anima/animus, and the Self, she shows how these timeless stories can guide us in understanding ourselves and the collective psyche.

Here are some questions to help prompt our discussion.

1..Von Franz writes that every element in a fairy tale represents a part of the psyche. How does this shift the way you approach or "read" a tale?

2..In the book, von Franz emphasizes the importance of structure in a fairy tale — such as repetition, triads, or endings. What patterns have you noticed in fairy tales, and what psychological function might they serve?

3..Why does von Franz claim that fairy tales are more objective and more truthful expressions of the unconscious than myths or dreams? Do you agree with her reasoning?

4..Von Franz discusses the absence of detailed characterization in fairy tales (e.g., the hero is just “a poor boy”). What psychological advantage might this abstraction offer in terms of symbolic interpretation?

5..How does von Franz distinguish between 'personal' and 'collective' symbols? Can you identify a symbol in a fairy tale that resonates on both levels?

6..In her interpretation of “The Three Feathers,” von Franz explores the symbolism of descent and entering the underworld. What does the motif of going underground or into darkness mean psychologically?

7..Von Franz emphasizes the theme of the ‘fool’ or ‘simpleton’ succeeding where others fail. What might this archetype say about the unconscious or intuitive wisdom in the individuation process?

8..She often highlights gendered figures — such as the animus in female characters or the anima in males. How do fairy tales portray these inner opposite-sex figures, and what might their transformation signify?

9..Von Franz sees the resolution of fairy tales (e.g., marriage or union) as a symbol of psychic wholeness. What do you make of these symbolic endings? Do they reflect real psychological integration?

10..What role do animal figures or magical helpers play in the psyche, according to von Franz? Can you think of a tale where these helpers reflect a turning point in the hero’s development?

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