This illustration of Hansel and Gretel in the forest is from 'The child's Hansel and Gretel', illustrated by M L Kirk, 1909. Download Hansel and Gretel illustration (PDF: 2.05 MB; 1 page).
An unknown place
The forest is one of the most common fairy tale settings. It is a place beyond the safety and familiarity of the town or village.
It represents the unknown where anything can happen. It is outside of normal experience, and is both a magical realm and a place of danger. It is a place of freedom and wildness, where normal rules no longer apply.
Strange events can take place in the forest, and it can be a place of transformation, where the hero overcomes various difficulties and finds his or her way home.
It can also represent a hiding place where characters can take refuge, but it can also represent the things that we most fear.
Symbol of the natural world
Little Red Riding Hood.
The forest is a symbol of the natural world, in contrast to the world of humans. It represents something more primitive and untamed.
When characters find themselves in the forest, they are cut off from home and from the outside world.
The forest is inhabited by strange and magical creatures. At any time you may come upon:
Talking animals
Monsters
Witches
Elves
Fairies.
Forests are places full of mystery, where the imagination can run riot.
When the fairy tales were first told, the lands of northern and western Europe were thick with woodland. At that the time, the forest represented very real dangers, such as bandits and wild animals.
This illustration is from 'Little Red Riding Hood' by Jennie Harbour from 'My book of favourite fairy tales', 1921. It shows a wood that is mysterious and foreboding. Download 'Little Red Riding Hood' illustration (PDF: 1.78 MB).
Suggested activities
Look at the 'Hansel and Gretel' illustration by M L Kirk above. This shows the scene when Hansel and Gretel are lost and abandoned in the middle of the forest at night. Ask the pupils to look closely at the picture and to list / identify the creatures hiding in the background. Which ones are real animals, and which are magical beings? Which of the creatures might be helpful and friendly, and which ones seem more menacing? Look at the characters of Hansel and Gretel — what might they each of them be feeling and thinking?
Look at / research pictures of forests. If you're located near a forest, try to arrange a guided walk. Forestry Commission Scotland have suggestions for walks and other activities.
Create an enchanted forest in your classroom or school hall. Decorate the walls with paintings or collages of tall trees, and create a canopy with tissue paper leaves. Include pictures of real animals that live in local forests, as well as imagined creatures and fairy tale characters. Add words to describe the forest.
primary sourcessecondary sources * When starting a new research project, a writer should first check the assignment to see if the requirements include the use of which are original works created by someone with firsth knowledge of the subject, or which are works that interpret or discuss original works.
When considering the purpose & objectivity of a source, ask yourself the following questions: What point of view does the author represent?Is the source arguing for or against something?Does the source contain mostly factual information or is it opinion-based?
Accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency and coverage are the five basic criteria for evaluating information from any sources. Is the information reliable?
It is important to be able to identify which sources are credible. This ability requires an understanding of depth, objectivity, currency, authority, and purpose. Whether or not your source is peer-reviewed, it is still a good idea to evaluate it based on these five factors.
Common evaluation criteria include: purpose and intended audience, authority and credibility, accuracy and reliability, currency and timeliness, and objectivity or bias.
With this brief introduction to evaluating sources, we will use a list of five critical criteria: AAOCC (Authority, Accuracy, Objectivity, Currency, and Coverage).
These sources are from the radio, television, internet, printed media like newspapers or magazines, and from talking to people or conducting interviews. Any of these sources can provide a wealth of knowledge and with technology being what it is there is a large amount of information at your fingertips at any one time.
A reliable source is one that provides a thorough, well-reasoned theory, argument, discussion, etc.based on strong evidence. Scholarly, peer-reviewed articles or books -written by researchers for students and researchers. Original research, extensive bibliography.
Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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