Goldilocks and the Three Bears Four Critical Interpretations

“Goldilocks and the Three Bears” Four Critical Interpretations

The End (but not the last word!)

Cautionary Tale § a tale told in folklore to warn its hearer of danger Øa taboo or prohibition is stated Øthe narrative itself is told in which someone disregards the warning Øthe violator comes to an unpleasant end

Fairy Tale § a type of short story that typically features fantasy characters and usually enchantments § may be distinguished from other folk narratives and purely moral § mainly used for stories with origins in European folklore, originally not simply for a child audience

Marxist: Goldilocks as capitalist oppressor § Goldilocks represents the bourgeois capital oppressing the hard-working proletariat bears ØAssumes ownership of the bears’ production ØHas a right to all that is “just right” for her

Marxist: Labor and Production § Bears maintain an orderly system of production that supports the capital bourgeoisie ØFood = porridge ØFurniture = literal support ØComfort = bed • G. claims bear production for her own sustenance and support

Marxist: Family Dynamics § The bear family represents the nuclear family espoused in the base societal values § Labor is marginalized to the woods, away from the cosmopolitan realm inhabited by the bourgeoisie

Marxist: Goldilocks’ Alienation § Goldilocks experiences alienation once she invades the workers’ realm ØViolates production ØDisrupts means of support ØSlumbers in a bourgeois stupor

Marxist: Goldilocks’ Alienation § As a member of the capital bourgeoisie, Goldilocks represents the reification of labor for her own purposes § An outside invader, G. is exposed to her own indoctrination via the superstructure

Marxist: Change? § Conflict between capital and labor (i. e. bourgeoisie and proletariat) instigates change. § Is the case as Goldilocks leaps from the window, or does she return to her ignorant bourgeois life?

Psychoanalytic: Oedipal Complex § G. explores gender and family roles: father, mother, child § This is also a search for self and her position within the family § G. is ultimately expelled for her experimentation

Psychoanalytic: Oedipal Complex § G. is curious about what adults do “behind closed doors” § G. is tempted by the temporary absence of “parents”

Psychoanalytic: Oedipal Complex – Papa Bear § Father role does not fit G. § Intimacy with the father is “too hot!”

Psychoanalytic: Oedipal Complex – Mama Bear § Mother’s bed is “too soft” = fear of engulfment and suffocation (return to the womb) § Mother’s milk (porridge) is “too cold” and no longer satisfies

Psychoanalytic: Sibling Rivalry – Baby Bear’s POV § G. is an intruder from nowhere § G. usurps his place in the family = mother’s milk, place at the table, bed(room)

Psychoanalytic: Sibling Rivalry – Baby Bear’s POV § § BB. ’s shrill voice awakens the sleeping G. BB. shrieks to drive off the newcomer G. goes back from whence she came The insider wins

Archetypal: Individuation– the Adolescent § G. is the adolescent at once a child yet exploring adult individuation § The tale leaves the reader dissatisfied – it offers no place for G.

Archetypal: Individuation § Being lost in the forest = quest to find oneself § G. is an outside intruder who never becomes an insider

Archetypal: Individuation § Fear of clinging to the mother = desire for individuation § Only the child position is “just right” § However, she has outgrown the child’s chair § G. is too old to regress into an infant

Archetypal: Individuation– the Adolescent § Defeated, G. runs away (back into the forest? ) § Running away from a problem = unconscious denial or repression

Archetypal: Individuation – the Adolescent § G. tries to navigate her basic human position § This is a tremendous psychological battle that every human must undergo

Archetypal: Magic Threes -- Home Invasion § “looked in at the window” § “peeped in at the keyhole” § “lifted the latch”

Archetypal: Magic Threes – Family Unit § Papa Bear = male (anima) § Mama Bear = female (animus) § Baby Bear (no gender assigned)

Archetypal: Magic Threes -- Homewrecker § 3 Dishes = nourishment § 3 Chairs = support § 3 Beds = intimacy

Feminist: A Woman’s Place § G. is relegated to the domestic setting: ØKitchen = domesticity ØLiving Room = family center ØBedroom = intimacy

Feminist: A Woman’s Place § G. ’s looks are foremost: “Goldilocks” = blond curls § Contrasts with her brazen behavior § Judged more harshly than a naturally exuberant and adventurous boy

Feminist: A Woman’s Place § § G. “whines” G. is indecisive G. is fickle G. is hard to please

Feminist: A Woman’s Place § G. is a threat to home/marital harmony § G. has been in Papa Bear’s bed! = homewrecker

Feminist: A Bear’s Place § Mama bear follows Papa Bear’s lead § Baby bear patterns himself after his parents ØSees mother subordinate to father ØSees girl as a negative figure

§ And the big question is. .

Feminist: A Bear’s Place § What gender have you always assumed Baby Bear is?