In 1740, French female writer Gabrielle-Suzanne de Villeneuve published an early foundational version of the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. She was influenced by other lady salon writers of the time, including Madame Marie-Catherine d’Aulnoy, who is credited with coining the term fairy tale. Read more... “The Villeneuve Effect: When Adaptation Intentionally Makes a Fairy Tale More Sexist”
Monthly Archives: May 2021
On the Steps of the Palace: Why Princesses Always Pause on Stairs
The fair maiden glides through a door at the peak of a staircase, pausing over the balcony to survey her onlookers. One by one, they stop, and eyes are on her, including the prince’s. The dress drips money and her positioning above the gathered crowd showcases that she is above them, even if she’s a commoner in disguise. Read more... “On the Steps of the Palace: Why Princesses Always Pause on Stairs”
Defending Damsels in Distress: the Art of the Video Essay
We’ve all heard criticisms of the Disney princess franchise and the sweet-as-cyanide messages of femininity and passivity they inflict on an unsuspecting girlhood audience. But as a child, I managed to adore the princess pantheon without succumbing to the “harmful” messages about gender roles and body image they supposedly embodied. Read more... “Defending Damsels in Distress: the Art of the Video Essay”