The Juniper Tree

About this episode

The episode explores the darker origins of fairy tales with folklorist Pauline Greenhill.

Season’s greetings! Christmastime often conjures visions of candy canes, gingerbread, and the happily-ever-after magic many of us grew up with; especially those of us raised in the golden age of Disney musicals. But behind the glittering tiaras and sing-along soundtracks lie much older fairy tales that were never meant to be sweet or safe. This Christmas, we step into the fairy forest’s darker paths. Joined by folklorist Pauline Greenhill, Professor of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Winnipeg, we explore the grim, gory, and fascinating origins of classic and lesser-known fairy tales. So gather your cloaks, light your lanterns, and follow us over the river and through the woods. If you dare...

People in this episode

Host: Rebecca Struzyna

Guest: Pauline Greenhill

Topics covered

• fairy tales
• folklore
• Christmas
• dark stories
• cultural origins

Keywords

• fairy tales
• folklore
• Christmas
• dark stories
• Disney
• candy canes
• gingerbread

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Winnipeg

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