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On the Road with Penguin Classics

Angela Carter's Fairy Tales with Marina Warner

Jan 4, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Dame Marina Warner, a cultural historian and professor at Birkbeck College, delves into Angela Carter's reimagining of classic fairy tales. She explores Carter's transformative approach to well-known stories like Cinderella and Bluebeard, revealing their darker complexities. Warner also highlights Perrault's influence on children's literature and the feminist themes woven into these narratives. The conversation beautifully intertwines the aesthetic of storytelling with the nature of desire, femininity, and empowerment.
01:12:48

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Fairy tales encompass complex themes that reflect societal norms and address adult issues beneath their whimsical surfaces.
  • Charles Perrault's storytelling introduced moral complexity and subtle social commentary, challenging class distinctions and the roles of women.

Deep dives

The Transformative Nature of Fairy Tales

Fairy tales serve as a rich tapestry of human experience, intertwining elements that reflect societal norms, fears, and desires. These stories are not merely for children's enjoyment; they encode complex themes, often embedding deeper truths about life’s challenges. For example, contemporary adaptations reveal dark sides, emphasizing that these tales can address adult themes beneath their whimsical surfaces. Through this duality, fairy tales can illuminate aspects of human nature and confront unresolved issues within society.

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