Shapeshifting Stories

Fairy tales, legends, and myths might well be among the most ancient of folk narratives, having their roots in the oral traditions of pre-literate societies. These stories have been reimagined, adapted, and subverted by writers for centuries, from Shakespeare to Disney to Anne Sexton. The 21st century has seen the popularity of such retellings explode, along with new academic interest in their many manifestations. Why? This panel of folk narrative experts seeks to answer this question and many more about the history, meaning, and purpose of these narratives around the world.