Did Cinderella live happily ever after? You might think so until you look more closely at the hidden messages in beloved fairy tales. In this book, fairy tales are analyzed in terms of the underlying messages about marriage, agency, power, suffering, and good versus evil, with a focus on how male and female characters differ in each of these areas. The analysis is a data-driven approach that provides clear evidence for the hidden messages in these beloved tales. The end conclusion is not whether fairy tales are good or bad but rather what messages they deliver about life, even if unintentionally.
My ThoughtS:
Like many others, I was raised reading and watching fairy tales. The desire to live the life of a princess was something to strive for. At least, that's how those stories were pushed. As I've aged, I have enjoyed discovering authors and researchers who dissect fairy tales, exposing the darker, hidden messages within the stories.
The most harrowing part of fairy tales is when you learn that they lay groundwork for impossible standards in areas such as physical beauty and relationships. Unlike a lot of articles I have read that simply blast an unsubstantiated opinion, this book offers statistics and facts that back up the basis.
Ultimately, I loved how the information is laid out in a fashion that we can all follow. Even though the stories seem innocent, this book makes it obvious how the underlying message is written and wrapped up in pretty paper with a fancy bow. It gives you a lot of food for thought when it comes to what our younger generations are reading!
I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
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About the Author:
A leader in the field of market research and one of the few female CEOs in the industry, Anne E. Beall is the author of 10 books in business, gender studies, and mindfulness, including Cinderella Didn’t Live Happily Ever After: The Hidden Messages in Fairy Tales and The Psychology of Gender. Her book Heartfelt Connections was named one of the top 100 Notable Indie books in 2016 by Shelf Unbound, and she has published nearly a dozen business articles in noted journals. Her books have been featured in People Magazine, Toronto Sun, Hers Magazine, and Ms. Career Girl, and she has been interviewed by NBC, NPR, and WGN. Having received her PhD in social psychology from Yale University, Anne resides in Evanston, Illinois and is the founder of the market consultancy company Beall Research.
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