Compare And Contrast Riquet With The Tft

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It has become difficult to count just how many fairy tales begin with a sentence characterizing the female protagonist as astonishingly beautiful and kind. In both versions of Riquet with the Tuft, it seems as though intelligence is the more valued feminine trait as each rendition features a woman gaining intelligence before a man will accept her as his bride. However, the way in which the protagonist applies her newly acquired intelligence in her marriage directly affects her fate. In Bernard’s Riquet with the Tuft, Mama’s intelligence is portrayed as being deliberate and manipulative, elements that both undermine and threaten Riquet’s masculine power. In Perrault’s Riquet with the Tuft, the princess’ intelligence is described as elegant and ladylike, components that both reflect well on Riquet and supplement his own intelligence without overpowering it. Both adaptations originally offer a refreshing ideal; female intelligence is placed higher than feminine beauty on a societal pedestal. Both authors use explicit phrases to demonstrate the significance of female intelligence …show more content…

Immediately after gaining her intelligence, Mama is described as uttering words in “a proper way” (Bernard 718). The word “proper” means to “conform to social etiquette; decent decorous, or respectable.” This particular word choice alludes to the fact that Mama is behaving in a dainty, passive manner. Additional word choices to describe Mama’s intelligence after her initial acquisition include “witty” and “coherent” (718). The word “coherent” is especially revealing because it means “logical in sense; harmoniously accordant.” This definition insinuates that Mama is agreeable in every sense and does not question authority. Her new ladylike behavior coupled with her passivity leads men at the frequent balls to become unfaithful and jealous, suggesting that these traits are favored by all men and not just

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