"The fairy tales collected by the brothers Grimm are among the best known and most widely read stories in Western literature. In this book, Ronald Murphy draws on a wealth of sources to explore the origins and underlying meanings of these universally loved tales." "Murphy traces five of the best known tales (Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty) back to their sources in oral culture and early literature." "Offering an entirely new perspective on these familiar tales, Murphy's book will appeal to those interested in spirituality in literature and the moral and religious education of children; to scholars and students of Romanticism, folklore, and children's literature; and to the many general readers who are captivated by fairy tales and their meanings."--Jacket.