Fiction means the common things as seen by the uncommon people. Fairy tales mean the uncommon things as seen by the common people.
This quote offers a fascinating perspective on the nature of fiction and fairy tales, highlighting how these forms of storytelling serve as lenses through which different facets of reality are perceived and expressed. Fiction often endeavors to reinterpret everyday life—those common, mundane experiences—through the imaginings and unique viewpoints of writers, who are the 'uncommon' individuals. It is their distinctive perspectives that breathe new life into ordinary events, transforming them into compelling narratives that reveal underlying truths or provoke deeper reflection. Conversely, fairy tales tend to elevate the fantastical and extraordinary, presenting them as accessible and relatable to the everyday person. They reframe the 'uncommon' and magical elements—such as dragons, magic spells, or talking animals—as experiences and concepts familiar to the common folk, embedding lessons, morals, or truths within imaginative worlds. This dichotomy underscores how storytelling intersects with human perception: it adapts to the storyteller's viewpoint, whether they’re viewing ordinary life through an unconventional lens or presenting the extraordinary in familiar terms. Both forms rely on the fundamental human desire to understand and interpret our reality—either by seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary or by making the extraordinary seem familiar. Such narratives ultimately serve as bridges connecting different levels of experience, enriching our understanding of both ourselves and the worlds we envisage. Recognizing this dynamic encourages us to appreciate the creative ways stories are used to explore human nature and societal norms, reminding us of the power of perspective in shaping meaning.
