Answering today's problems with yesterday's fairy tales

Jack Zipes considers himself a “cultural excavator.” He thinks that answers to the major cultural and political quandaries of today can be found in the fairy tales of the past, and he’s committed to digging those stories up.

In order to publish more of the stories he’s “unburied,” the celebrated professor emeritus of German and comparative literature at the University of Minnesota founded the small, independent press Little Mole and Honey Bear.

Zipes admitted to host Cathy Wurzer that he’s been losing money on the press, but he’s still excited that he can finally publish more of his discoveries every year.

“For me, it’s been a great love affair and learning affair,” Zipes said.

Zipes and Wurzer explored why fairytales were originally written for adults, the kinds of messages embedded in the fairy tales of the past and why the Brothers Grimm may have been more enlightened than Walt Disney.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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