The Russian Fairy Tale

The Russian Fairy Tale introduces readers to selected tales from the Russian/Slavic tradition and to methods of examining and critiquing them. The material examines fairy tales from their folk origins to their literary and filmic versions, and provides contextual ties to Western presentations of fairy tales such as the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, and Disney. The selected stories are grouped by specific methods of analyzing them including: Structural Approaches; Psychological Approaches; Feminist Approaches; and Socio-political Approaches.

As they use the text students will be exposed to some of the great masters of Russian literature, such as Aleksandr Pushkin, Nikolai Gogol, and Leo Tolstoy. They will also be introduced to wonderful stories like The Tale of the Golden Cockerel and The Tale of Ivan the Fool and His Two Brothers.

The Russian Fairy Tale can be used in courses on Russian literature, fairy tales, folklore, and children’s literature.

Thomas J. Garza earned his Ed.D. at Harvard University. Dr. Garza is University Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor of Slavic and Eurasian Studies and the Director of the Texas Language Center at the University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches courses on Russian language and culture, including a popular course on the Russian fairy tale. He has received numerous teaching awards including the President’s Associates Award, the Harry Ransom Teaching Award, and the Regent’s Outstanding Teacher Award. Dr. Garza was inducted into the University Academy of Distinguished Teachers in 2003.