We’re Gonna Talk About It Podcast
Episode 18: Terrible Tales
If you’re a fan of either the newest movies, or classic fairy tales whether from your childhood books, Disney/Pixar movies, or TV like Once Upon a Time, this is the episode for you! We’re lightening up a bit to chat about our pop culture obsession with fairy tales and specifically their origins, mainly how these stories gathered from every corner of the world through legend or folktales, have been manipulated to be tools of the western white patriarchy. And, if you’ve always wondered just why in almost every story, there’s always an older woman jealous of a younger one, plotting for some kind of revenge…why is that? This episode explores that conundrum too, and the harmful tropes these stories can perpetuate.
You might know that stories like “Cinderella” have origins in many countries, hailing from places like the middle east and Asia, but how exactly did those stories become the fairy tale we know now? Whether you love the classic animated Disney version, or the lavish live action re-make starring Lily James, or maybe you love Brandi and Whitney’s version, it might surprise you that these all come from source material that gets pretty dark and gruesome.
And pitting women against one another? Specifically, an older woman versus a young one? Well, you can thank the good old Brother’s Grimm for that. They were operating from an incredibly western, white, patriarchal culture and their versions of these old folktales reflect that. For a patriarchal society, middle aged women are problematic, they no longer produce babies, and even worse, they don’t give a (bleep) what anyone thinks.
Sadly, though, this trope of women pitted against each other specifically due to youth and beauty is incredibly toxic and punishing, and yes, we do talk about it.
Also discussed are the really positive changes happening to this genre, how many of the new stories are turning the trope of “princess in need of rescuing” upside down, producing iconic new heroines who can save themselves and anyone else they want. Even more exciting is how many more women and non-binary persons from many cultural backgrounds are helming these stories, and how they are changing to reflect a truer reflection of the audiences that consume them. It’s not a small thing to read about or see a “princess” that looks like you.
For more resources on fairy tales for feminist kids, check out resources like A Mighty Girl Damsels in Charge: 40 Fairy Tales Starring Mighty Girls | A Mighty Girl
Art Educators check out this play for schools The Princess and the Pee by Lily Baber Coyle | Playscripts Inc.
FBC selections Retelling Fairytales: Feminist, Alternative, and Encouraging – Feminist Book Club
As always, let us know what you think at Hello@rockwhatyougot.com and as always, thanks for listening!
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RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
For more resources on fairy tales for feminist kids, check out resources like A Mighty Girl Damsels in Charge: 40 Fairy Tales Starring Mighty Girls | A Mighty Girl
Art Educators check out this play for schools The Princess and the Pee by Lily Baber Coyle | Playscripts Inc.
FBC selections Retelling Fairytales: Feminist, Alternative, and Encouraging – Feminist Book Club