Description
Discover the enthralling examination of a classic fairy tale in "Secrets beyond the Door," a captivating trade paperback that deep dives into the intriguing world of Bluebeard's Wife. This BRAND NEW edition, published by Princeton University Press in 2006, explores how the age-old tale of a mysterious husband and his ill-fated wives has evolved in popular culture. Through rich analysis, renowned scholar Maria Tatar reveals how Bluebeard’s narratives permeate literature, film, and even opera, reshaping the archetypes of curiosity and morality. This insightful work juxtaposes the clever investigator with the traditionally condemned wife, highlighting her transformation into a self-rescuing heroine of modern storytelling. It is a compelling read for literary enthusiasts and scholars alike interested in feminist interpretations and the cultural significance of the Bluebeard mythos. As you delve into the pages, confront the complexity behind characters like Bluebeard himself, who transitions from a simple villain to a nuanced figure battling with creativity and intimacy. If you appreciate classic literature reimagined through a contemporary lens, then this book is a must-have for your collection. Plus, enjoy FREE shipping on this item, with delivery expected within 6 weeks. Please note that once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled. Get ready to unlock the secrets beyond the door of one of literature's most intriguing narratives!
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691127835
Format: Trade paperback (US)
Year: 2006
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
The tale of Bluebeard's Wife--the story of a young woman who discovers that her mysterious blue-bearded husband has murdered his former spouses--no longer squares with what most parents consider good bedtime reading for their children. But the story has remained alive for adults, allowing it to lead a rich subterranean existence in novels ranging from Jane Eyre to Lolita and in films as diverse as Hitchcock's Notorious and Jane Campion's The Piano. In this fascinating work, Maria Tatar analyzes the many forms the tale of Bluebeard's Wife has taken over time, particularly in Anglo-European popular culture. It documents the fortunes of Bluebeard, his wife, and their marriage in folklore, fiction, film, and opera, showing how others took the Bluebeard theme and revived it with their own signature twists. In some tales the wife is a deceiver; in others she is a clever investigator. Earlier ages denounced Bluebeard's wife for her "reckless curiosity" and for her "uncontrolled appetite"; our own times have turned her into something of a heroine, a woman who rescues herself--and often her marriage--through her detective work and psychological finesse.
And as for Bluebeard?Once considered a one-dimensional brute, he has found renewed cultural energy both as a master criminal who kills in order to create a higher moral order and as an artist figure who must shield himself against intimacy to foster his creative powers. A brilliant account of how one classic fairy tale has been continually reincarnated, Secrets beyond the Door will appeal to both literary scholars and general readers.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691127835
Format: Trade paperback (US)
Year: 2006
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
The tale of Bluebeard's Wife--the story of a young woman who discovers that her mysterious blue-bearded husband has murdered his former spouses--no longer squares with what most parents consider good bedtime reading for their children. But the story has remained alive for adults, allowing it to lead a rich subterranean existence in novels ranging from Jane Eyre to Lolita and in films as diverse as Hitchcock's Notorious and Jane Campion's The Piano. In this fascinating work, Maria Tatar analyzes the many forms the tale of Bluebeard's Wife has taken over time, particularly in Anglo-European popular culture. It documents the fortunes of Bluebeard, his wife, and their marriage in folklore, fiction, film, and opera, showing how others took the Bluebeard theme and revived it with their own signature twists. In some tales the wife is a deceiver; in others she is a clever investigator. Earlier ages denounced Bluebeard's wife for her "reckless curiosity" and for her "uncontrolled appetite"; our own times have turned her into something of a heroine, a woman who rescues herself--and often her marriage--through her detective work and psychological finesse.
And as for Bluebeard?Once considered a one-dimensional brute, he has found renewed cultural energy both as a master criminal who kills in order to create a higher moral order and as an artist figure who must shield himself against intimacy to foster his creative powers. A brilliant account of how one classic fairy tale has been continually reincarnated, Secrets beyond the Door will appeal to both literary scholars and general readers.