FAIRYTALE CHARACTERISTICS

1. Fairytales are a complete tale in themselves but can vary in length.  For example, Hans Christen Andersen's The Travelling Companion and The Snow Queen are long stories.  The Three Bears is much shorter.
   
2. Fairytales can be humorous, they can be grim.
   
3. Magic is usually involved somewhere.
   
4. Talking animals are considered normal.
   
5. Fairy godmothers and witches clash all the time.
   
6. There's usually a strong moral and justice generally does win in the end, but these are achieved without preaching.  The conclusions are inevitable from the way the story is written.
   
7. Irony is often used.
   
8. The wicked are wicked and the good are good.  There's no mucking about here.  But characters can be redeemed and many fairytales hinge on the moment of redemption.
   
9. The wicked always get their just desserts.
   
10. The Little Mermaid is  unusual in that it does not have the obvious happy ending for our heroine but it does show the virtues of love and sacrifice.