tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280685470634875837.post1523737600554379500..comments2023-08-28T19:10:35.886+10:00Comments on Dr Ian Ellis-Jones ... Living Mindfully Now: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK—OR HOW TO CLIMB INTO THE SKYDr Ian Ellis-Joneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13158091959759426208noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280685470634875837.post-84222325329236682872017-07-01T18:16:11.295+10:002017-07-01T18:16:11.295+10:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18080428266505237674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6280685470634875837.post-18920119573534343652017-07-01T18:15:34.532+10:002017-07-01T18:15:34.532+10:00Very good analysis. I agree that we should value f...Very good analysis. I agree that we should value fairy tales and myths a lot more, and as Drinkwater says, our modern (scientific, literal-minded) methods of education do stifle intuition and imagination. <br />As with all myths, just about any interpretation can be put on the meaning. While you point out a good personal meaning, one I have also seen described as a 'coming of age' journey, my first reactions were more collective in nature. A prominent parallel for me is the modern European, emerging from the middle ages, abandoning God, and stealing the wisdom of the ancients (Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, the East etc). The mother, as you say, the soul, is widowed from the father - perhaps, God, the superego. The boy, the modern initiative, with a used up cow (matriarchal symbol) ends up with the magic beans - new found esoteric, exotic, spiritual (as you say) knowledge. The stealing adventures begin and wealth is obtained. The Giant, even more broadly, could be the mass of tradition, the past, which is frequently raided and claimed for ownership. The "fee-fi-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishmen" does point the finger a little bit!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18080428266505237674noreply@blogger.com