The Uses of Enchantment

criticism by Bettelheim

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July 14, 2026

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Bruno Bettelheim's The Uses of Enchantment (1976) explores the psychological significance of fairy tales for child development. Bettelheim argued that the seemingly harsh or arbitrary elements in folk fairy tales are actually instructive, reflecting a child's natural progression through developmental stages. He believed these stories help children confront and process their fears and desires in a way that promotes healthy psychological growth. The book examines how fairy tales can provide meaning and guidance to children facing the challenges of growing up.12

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fairy tale
In his Uses of Enchantment (1976), Bettelheim asserted that the apparently cruel and arbitrary nature of many folk fairy stories is actually an instructive reflection of the child’s natural and necessary “killing off” of successive phases of development and initiation.
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In his Uses of Enchantment (1976), Bettelheim asserted that the apparently cruel and arbitrary nature of many folk fairy stories is actually an instructive reflection of the child’s natural and necessary “killing off” of successive phases of development and initiation.
Read More

Bruno Bettelheim
…children in Israeli kibbutzim; and The Uses of Enchantment (1976), in which Bettelheim argued for the importance of fairy tales in child development.
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…children in Israeli kibbutzim; and The Uses of Enchantment (1976), in which Bettelheim argued for the importance of fairy tales in child development.
Read More