Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2007

Publication Title

Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies

First Page

216

Last Page

227

Additional Publication URL

http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/mat/summary/v021/21.2.jorgensen.html

Abstract

The increased personification of fairy godmothers in contemporary American media corresponds to an aspect of the American worldview that emphasizes "magical" quick fixes and solutions. The two fairy-tale pastiche works informing this study are a novel, The Fairy Godmother, by fantasy author Mercedes Lackey, and a movie, Shrek 2. Both of these works feature fairy godmother characters that depart from canonical folktale and fairy-tale depictions. Associated with fate and wisdom, fairy godmothers act much as folklorists do by rewarding traditional behavior with gifts. Recent fairy godmother roles are hybrid and multivocal, illuminating ideologies and power structures in both society and story.

Rights

This article was archived with permission from Wayne State University Press, all rights reserved. Document also available from Marvels & Tales.

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