Bluebeard

  I've read Perrault’s version of Bluebeard as yet another cautionary tale. The story seemed to make her the wife’s offense of snooping (directly against her husband’s advice) bigger than his offense of killing all his former wives. That was the lesson I walked away with. All of these fairytales read as conditioning tools to me now. These stories work to promote obedience and the superiority of men. I can agree with the comparison to Eve as a transgressor.  I understand the similarities, as Eve did not heed any warnings and gave in to the temptations of her own curiosity as well.

Symbolic role of Food in “Hansel & Gretel”

In the classic tale of “Hansel and Gretel”, food serves a very symbolic role. It is the lack of food that is used as the primary justification and catalyst for the abandonment of the children.

Sexual Symbolism in “Little Red Riding Hood”

In some of the various versions of the classic tale of “Little Red Riding Hood”, there are many symbols of sex, whether perverse of traditional. For the intents and purposes of this paper, I will analyze more specifically Charles Perrault’s version, which is considered one of the most satirical.

Illustrations of Little Red Riding Hood

I had to use this opportunity to post my all time favorite adaption of Little Red Riding Hood starring Bugs Bunny. :)

The True Prince of Charm...

Walt Disney’s role in changing the Fairy Tale

In “Breaking the Disney Spell”, Jack Zipes explained the phenomenon of Walt

Disney and his ability to rewrite the origins and meanings of the traditional fairy tales.

Be a Princess at all times...

In her essay “Some Day My Prince Will Come: Female Acculturation through Fairy Tale” Marcia R. Lieberman argues that the effects that classic fairytales have on young children is nothing short of acculturation.

Quick Analysis of "Some Day my Prince Will Come"

Image credit: Landsbókasafn Íslands

Marcia Lieberman’s “Some Day my Prince Will Come” explained the messages that young children receive about gender roles and the superficial values that they are taught even before they understand what it is that they are really learning. The process of acculturation. 

This understanding made my re-review of many versions of the classic tale of “Snow White” made it all the more entertaining.

Oral Tradition, Folk lore and Fairy Tales.

For my online course on Folk & Fairytales, we read two interesting pieces which explain the origin of folk literature  and the importance (or lack thereof) the chronology of oral tradition. 

An Introduction...

Once upon a time, a long time ago their lived a fairy princess...

How many times have you sat in awe of someone who started off a story much in this fashion, listening attentively to the story waiting for it to unfold into a happy ending?

Many of us grew up listening to fairytales and expecting that our lives would mirror these tales of so-called happy endings. But what happens when you awake from your slumber at age 35, with the almost painful realization that you are still single, with no prospects of a true Prince Charming and most dreadfully stuck in the harsh reality of the digital age?

Surrounded by nothing but slimy frogs, ogres and wickedly evil witches. How can a fairy princess navigate and find her way? And with her time running out, how can she ever find her happy ending?

What many of us don't realize is that these romantic fairytales are not simply a fantastical precursor to the world we hope to one day live in but a means of socialization and gender indoctrination.  One that ultimately sets many of us up for severe disappointment and failure.