This question is from Neil Gaiman’s website from the reading-group discussion.
What do fairy tales teach us? Can anyone live happily ever after?
Think about the quote Neil Gaiman used at the beginning of his book Coraline:
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” (G.K Chesterton)
What do you think this means?
Why do you think Neil Gaiman chose to use this quote at the beginning of this book?
What do you think his opinion of G.K Chesterton is?
Kulsum
His quote, which is written by G.K Chesterton, means the dragon is the obstacle and although they don’t exsist you can overcome it. Also it is written as a metophore.
Nadia
I think the quote from G.K Chesterton means you will face obstacles in life, however you can overcome or conquer the obstacle. I think he thinks highly of G.K Chesterton and I think he believes the quotes is true and it is happening to people.
Sher
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” (G.K Chesterton)
I think this means that whatever problems you have you can always overcome it.
I also think he wrote the quote because it was related to some of his books.
Harjeevan
I think this means that good always defeats evil. I think he wrote this because in Coraline, good might defeat evil. I do not really know for sure since I have not seen the apparently awesome film. I think Neil Gaiman is inspired by G.K Chesterton’s writing because Mr Chesterton may have many more quotes like this in his other books that may come useful.
Rahul
Fairy tales teach us that evil can be beaten and obstacles can be beaten and someone can live happily ever after if they have done all they want to do also that good will always prevail over evil.
This quote means that problems can be overcome just like the great dragon can be slain.
I think he chose to put this quote in to relate to some events in some of his books and to give the reader something to think about.
I think Neil Gaiman is inspired and respects G.K.Chesterton and his writing and he may put many other quotes in.
Emily
I think it means that dragons are are no real but they are used to show hard things.🙈
Emilia
I think the quote (from G.K Chersterton) means that you will face obstacles, however it is possible to defeat them. Neil Gaiman, has wrote lots of books, believes that it will inspire children. I think Neil Gaiman respect’s G.K Chersterton and belives that the quote is true and it is in real people’s lives!
Ismail
All of the fairy tales which I have read have had a happy ending in which good prevaouls evil.
“Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” (G.K Chesterton)
I think this means that the dragon is the obstercle and you have to overcome it. I think he used this at the beginning of the book to make the reader think before he/she reads the story
I think he thinks highly of G.K Chesterton if not he wouldn’t of used that quote 📚📖📚
Harneesh
Why did you write these book? And did you write them in one day, if you did you should have a break and then finish of writing those books. How many books have you written because I want to know how much books you have written and please tell me. Our class is 6Lc and Miss cole who just tweeted you on twitter. Every story or a movie has a happy ending to it.
Ibrahim khan
My fairy tales have happy endings,some tell us that obstacles are achievable and some teach us we can do things.
G.K Chestertons quote means that fairy tales morals are normally, you can over come anything. He doesn’t literally mean dragons he just uses it as a metterphor
He probably chose that quote as it is the most true .📝
Ethan
He also wirrotn 25 mare books on a this website http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/
Thankes
X Chelsea X
I think this particularly means the dragon is the object which the good defeats evil.
Kulsum
He has used this quote at the beginning of his books because he believes its true. Fairy tales teach us a moral that help us in life. I think anybody can live happily ever after if they want to.
Harneesh
Everyone knows that every story has a happy ending and a movie has a happy ending and you want to know what book I am reading I have got 2. Two books I am reading which are The Witchers and How To Train Your Dragon Storm
Jakk
I think that every all fairy tales teach us that nothing is impossible and every life so going have a epic happy ending!!! Neil Gaiman has wrote lots of books including, coralline, mirror mask and stardust and many more!
Mariyam x
I think it means, that you should believe in yourself and that if a dragon can be beaten anything can!
Ramisa
Fairy tales have morals which teach us that good triumphs over evil. I think anyone can live happily ever after. I think the quote means that the dragon is the problem and you can over come it.😜
Bessie
The quote means, quite simply, nothing is impossible.
Jai
I think that he meant that nothing is impossible when he had said that the dragon can be beaten! 👍