Do you know the dark and hidden origins of Sleeping Beauty? In Episode 18 of Fairy Tale Flip, we dive into the evolution of this classic story and the political messaging woven into its earliest versions.
While today’s Sleeping Beauty feels like a simple romantic tale, its European roots stretch back nearly 700 years—and the oldest versions are far more unsettling. We explore the Arthurian romance Perceforest and Giambattista Basile’s Sun, Moon, and Talia, uncovering themes of displaced nobility, female power struggles, patriarchal abuse, and shifting ideas of morality. We even look at a rarely discussed Chinese variant that adds yet another layer of meaning.
This isn’t just a fairy tale—it’s a mirror of history, power, and cultural change. Join us for a conversation you won’t want to miss!
00:52 Recap of Previous Episodes
01:13 Sleeping Beauty: The Grim Version
05:17 Donna's Dissertation on Fairytales
06:54 Exploring A-T-U Classification
11:19 Chinese Folklore: The Oldest Version
15:15 European Tales: The Darker Side
16:01 Sun, Moon, and Talia: The Shocking Tale
20:58 Unveiling Hidden Truths
21:22 Symbolism and Subliminal Messages
22:30 Patriarchal Abuse and Survival
23:29 Author's Intent and Satirical Critique
27:53 Cultural Context and Modern Parallels
29:17 Societal Rules and Gender Roles
30:49 Symbolism of Sleep and Maturation
33:29 Epic Origins and Literary Evolution
36:38 Modern Retellings and Female Empowerment
40:10 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions
References:
1. A link for an easy introduction to ATU types https://retellingthetales.com/a-casual-girls-guide-to-using-the-atu-index/
2. Ursula Le Guin ‘The Poacher’ 2012.
3. Anne Claffey’s ‘The Plastic Princess’
4. Anne Sexton’s Transformations
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