Fairy Tales and Feminism

This incisive work examines how feminist critics of the 1970s shattered the traditional enchantment of classic fairy tales, exposing their deep-seated role in shaping gender norms and cultural expectations. Donald Haase provides a thorough reassessment of this pivotal feminist critique, analyzing how scholars challenged the passive princess archetypes and patriarchal frameworks embedded in these enduring stories. The book offers a compelling look at the intellectual movement that reframed fairy tales not as harmless fantasies, but as powerful instruments in the struggle for gender equality.

Haase’s analysis stands out by moving beyond simple condemnation, instead exploring the nuances and lasting impact of feminist scholarship on the genre. Teen readers and young adults exploring gender studies will find a vital historical context for understanding how modern retellings and feminist fairy tales emerged from this critical foundation. This is essential reading for anyone curious about the hidden politics behind beloved stories and the scholars who gave us new lenses through which to read them.