It’s a dangerous world that birthed our fairy tales. Before the advent of modern science, disease and disaster all too easily left children disabled or dead. Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm lost three siblings in infancy and Wilhlem himself dealt with ill health (scarlet fever, asthma) for much of his adult life. It is no wonder, …
Monthly Archives: March 2021
Goldilocks, Cinderella, and now Ariel: Meghan Markle’s History of Framing Her life Through Fairy Tale
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview earlier this month was a trifecta testimony to the power of fairy tales, narrative, and enduring influence of television. Oprah Winfrey led the CBS-broadcast special that reached over 17 million US viewers-roughly 19% of the US population-and garnered seven million dollars. Because the programming was broadcast during America’s evening, …
Five Things Mulan Did Wrong that Raya did (Mostly) Right
This post contains light spoilers for Raya and the Last Dragon. Proceed with caution. The dragon-worshipping nation of Kumandra finds itself entirely lacking in dragons after Sisu, the last of her kind, sacrifices herself to defeat the Droon, a malevolent black force that turns people to stone. Soon after, Kumandra is fractured into five feuding …
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Coloring Magic: Why No New Adaptation Can Replace the 1939 Wizard of Oz
Last month, New Line Cinema announced an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz directed by Nicole Kassel. Kassel stated that while “the 1939 musical is part of my DNA, I am exhilarated and humbled by the responsibility of re-imagining such a legendary tale.”There have been many film, stage, and television …
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