In this diploma thesis, we critically discuss and compare different definitions of fairy-tales and their classifications, while trying to provide a definition synthesis of this literary type. We concisely provided theoretical models of studying fairy-tales, and as Milena Mileva Blažić (2008) points out these are: the sociological, the literary, the psychoanalytical, the folkloric and post-structuralist approach, whereas the structuralist and feministic model are presented in detail (the latter two are on the basis of fairy-tale analysis compared with each other as well). I have come to the conclusion that definitions just define the fairy-tale in general, whilst accentuating elements which are at the centre of a particular theoretic model. Similarities between them confirm this claim. However, theoretical models aim at singular directions in their definitions, have diverse focal points and focusses (the sociological is concerned with the meaning of society, the literary with the content, etc.). Based on the analysis of the modern fairy-tale, I have adjudged that the structuralist and the feminist approach are entirely dissimilar, since one is interested primarily in the structure of the fairy-tale and the other in female characters and their psyche. On account of this distinction, I ultimately provided two different definitions of this literary type, as defined by the structuralist and the feminist approach respectively.
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