Fairies in literature throughout the years

Fairies are usually associated with northwestern Europe, especially with the British Isles, but fairylike creatures have appeared in many cultures throughout literature. There are many different types of fairies and they take on many different shapes and forms. For example, fairylike beings such as nymphs and dryads have appeared in classic mythology, the djinn, or genies, have appeared in Arabic lore, and the peri in Persian lore. Throughout the years, because of economic, scientific, and technological developments, writers and artists have helped changed the way readers look at fairy beings.
In the beginning, people believed that fairies roamed freely in forests. People also believed that the fairies were very good friends with them. Fairies were said to have existed in human form, sometimes splendid and sometimes monstrous. Occasionally, fairies assumed the shapes of deer or falcons, flames or flowers or jewels. At times, they were invisible. Although they lived on earth, th...