Bluebeard

Fairy tales often feature archetypical female characters, such as the maiden, the witch, the crone, and the “jezebel.” Such figures act (or don’t act) in broadly predictable ways; the witch, for example, is an active but malign force, whereas the maiden is frequently a passive figure. Though it seems to begin with a passive young female protagonist, “Blue Beard” is unusual in proceeding to explore female agency through the young bride. Though influenced by the patriarchal ideology of his era, Perrault was more invested in fairness toward women than his contemporaries, countering a literary rival’s deeply misogynistic poems with his early verse tale “Griselidis.” The “Blue Beard” story arc takes the heroine from vulnerability to agency, despite the more traditional, sexist traits also present throughout.

The young bride’s societal position initially curtails her ability to exercise her own will. Unmarried and (presumably) without money of her own, her early choices are largely reactive—e.g., her acceptance of Blue Beard. That said, this choice casts doubt on the wisdom of even this limited female agency. The young bride is so dazzled by Blue Beard’s show of wealth and entertainment that she marries him—putting herself in his power—despite her initial misgivings.