Disjunctions and Universals: The Role of the Fairy Tale in Constructing and Deconstructing Cultural Norms and Beliefs

The idea of a universal truth is something which is explored in all fields as a method towards gaining knowledge and a creation of an identity that binds together cultural groups. This identity also binds together humanity as a whole. In literature the morals and norms enforced by things as simple as fairy tales represents an attempt by that culture at gaining a better insight into a particular truth. Although at first they seem simple, fairy tales create for the readers a world where norms do not necessarily rely on cultural context. This universal normativity is shown in the striking similarities that exist in tales from different cultures. And, while each cultural representation of a fairy tale carries some minute distinctions, it is the similarities which provide us with insight into common concerns about the human condition. However, it is also important to question why these norms are considered good or, why the assumptions made are ones that ought to be made. And perhaps it is in these disjunctions that the differences in cultural representations of childrens books can be found. Indeed as companion pieces to Madame De Beaumonts Beauty and the Beast the Italian version The Pig King by Giovanni Straparola and Angela Carters The Tigers Bride provide insight to the reader of the normative and epistemological concepts and justifications used by both different cultural groups, but also different periods in time, and, while both contain some similarities, Especially in the case of The Pig King the differences and surprises especially in The Tigers Bride present readers with insight into a particular orientation of the cultural group at that time. And, in doing so, allows the reader to gain a sense of introspection that is, it allows for a self reflection on their own norms and provides a unique avenue, especially for the more mature reader to question these cultural assumptions in the search not for a disconnect but a true universal human connection. Within Carters The Tigers Bride key differences come from the text that distinguishes it from the canonical version of Beauty and the Beast and ultimately, creates great surprise to the read by its inversion of the symbolic order and the revolutionary rejection of it. What first distinguishes it from the first text is the admittance and the reversal of the symbolic scheme present in the original text. When the valet says we surround ourselves with [. . .] simulacra and find it no less convenient then most gentleman (Tater 59) this fleeting reference to the world of signs around the castle of the Beast is indeed an inversion of the traditional order seen in Beaumonts version. Wherein it is the Beast who is indeed of human essence, in Carters version it is the opposite as the Beast attempts to become human through simulation hiding his beastly essence. This simulation as represented by the Beasts attempts to be human repulses the woman (57). Why this image creates disgust in the woman is clear, it represents to her the Beasts attempts at becoming something which she at first unconsciously feels is ugly and is a norm that she rejects near the end of the tale when she becomes animal through a somewhat violent act. When she becomes animal through the act of having her skin licked off of her this creates a radical refusal and critique of the world view she was raised in (66). This is further evidenced

when she admits that when she sheds her clothes she was At liberty for the first time in my life (63). This liberty can only come from the girl when she finally rejects her human self. This denial of her own humanity differs from that of the Beast in that the Beasts attempts to become human are merely symbolic that is his disguise is a fleeting image the girls becoming animal is the authentic act at its finitude. The normative effects of this are clear The Tigers Bride does something which seems radical for a fairy tale it critiques societal conceptions of what good is and indeed seems to present an alternative moral that getting in touch with ones more animalistic side can indeed liberate. By criticizing the validity of a human self the tale forces the reader to confront her own notion of identity and possibly even her idea of gender The Tigers Bride allows for the symbolic construction of humanity both within the Beast as well as the girl to come crashing down. Whereas The Tigers Bride unravels and challenges the beliefs held by a society The Pig King reifies the norms present in the canonical version of the tale and by doing so presents an attempt at unification, of a validation of the dominant discourse instead of a criticism and in doing so gives the reader a sense of familiarity instead of alterity. What is important here is the presentation of the male gender and the validation of a standard of men being the ones who exercise power. For example, although it does not happen, the Kings constant suggestion of killing the son forms a central part of the conflict present in the tale (Tater 43). However, oddly enough, it is the abnormal Pig son that has the true power, which is, perhaps, an allusion to the impotence of the king and ultimately the impotence of the male gender to actually commit to an action. Instead of being proactive, males in the tale are seen as reactive. Not only does the king seem unable to actually kill the son, the son is unable to proactively seek out a wife, but also his killings are always done in what he argues is mere self defense (44-45). Indeed, the inability of the Pig to actually have intercourse with the first two women results in a death which is done by penetration. When the first wife refuses to lie in bed with him and in doing so denying his man hood the Pig penetrates the girl with his hoof in an attempt to possibly prove his virility (44). By using this actual violence, although reactive, the male character forces domination upon women by denying any hope of the reversal of power relations. The Pig Prince accepts the discourse possibly prevalent at the time of a male superiority. However the girl whom he does choose exhibits a willingness to submit to him, to let the prince prove his virility when the queen sees her after the night and she is both alive and seems to have enjoyed the night, the dirt and filth associated with her now prove a willingness of the girl to submit and to be degraded (46). And while the girl does resist the prince by revealing to his parents that he is indeed human, this is tolerated because it gives legitimacy to the Pig by her defying him she is actually giving him more control (47). Because of this and the wifes willingness to submit to the prince and his ability to prove his virility the norm created by this story becomes clear as well. It is only when females submit to the ideology of the time that is to be willing to be degraded to become both metaphorically and literally filthy with what their husband brings can they be rewarded.

Both tales can create surprise for the reader but it is ultimately the criticism of society and the conception of what a human self is that makes The Tigers Bride most shocking to the reader whereas the validation of norms present within The Pig King make it resemble very clearly the canonical version of the story. But, both stories present the reader with a glimpse of the conflict and issues prevalent in the society or culture at that point in time and force the reader to in a sense question how conflict is represented and who is the master and servant within her own society at the point and time. So while fairy tales at first seem merely like childrens tales they can when presented to a more mature audience be used as tools both for the validation and critique of dominant discourses at the time.