While Charles Perrault didn't invent the plot of any of 'his' fairy tales, he indisputably made a huge impact on the evolution of this new literary genre.
But let's focus just on the life of this interesting man. Believe it or not, he was much more than the author of these popular stories, which were actually just a footnote in his work.
And if you are reading about him on the web, you'll find so many totally wrong presumptions about him and his work (at presumably legit media like Independent or Telegraph, for instance), it's only fair to present his biography from the point of view of somebody who actually studied the life of Perrault, not just skimmed the article on Wikipedia.
And by the way, I wrote a full essay about Perrault as well. So here are just the 10 most important facts from Charles Perrault's biography:
Did You Know Who Was Charles Perrault?
I believe wikipedia has several photos.
I don't recollect the details, but I think he saw how even in this profession people forever stay limited due their origin no matter how smart and competent are.
Abslutely. Fairy tales are all about growing up. Literaly and figuratively.
The second fact, Great Connections, alerts us to the supervisory-builder entry on the Perrault -- ;-D -- resumé.
Is there any surviving description or image of that architectural achievement?
The first subheading, Wealthy Family, First Class Education, considers that Perrault "studied the law, the most popular profession for smart kids without noble heritage (like Brothers Grimm, for instance). He passed the exams and worked as a lawyer for short time (brothers Grimm never practiced the law) before he got disillusioned by the existing system."
Do we know what in particular prompted Perrault's disillusionment with "the existing system"?
In a recent re-read of Wherever You Go There You Are by microbiologist, emeritus medicine professor and pioneering mindfulness practitioner and teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn, my sister found particular interest in the author's discussion of fairy tales. Fairy tales "in all cultures" are mostly "soul stories rather than spirit stories" (1994: page 268) because they involve a quest that brings about "goldenness," i.e., growth, by persevering against darkness, i.e., fearful challenges.
This makes me think of your recent wizzley about transformational behavior in the
Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale. Could one say that the quest for growth equates to fairy tale quests for growing up, getting a job, getting married, etc.?
No, DerdriuMarriner, this essay is not translated in English language. Maybe some day.
The first fact, Wealthy Family, First Class Education, describes Perrault as from "a wealthy family" but "without noble heritage."
What socio-economic class or segment did Perrault belong to?
Paragraphs 3 and 4 of your introduction advise us that "And if you are reading about him on the web, you'll find so many totally wrong presumptions about him and his work (at presumably legit media like Independent or Telegraph, for instance), it's only fair to present his biography from the point of view of somebody who actually studied the life of Perrault, not just skimmed the article on Wikipedia. And by the way, I wrote a full essay about Perrault as well."
Is your Perrault essay accessible for those of us -- like me ;-D -- who'd like to read it?