Imitation In 'Confessions Of An Ugly Step-Sister'

Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery is a common saying. If it is in fact true, then modern writers sure do love fairytale authors of the past! However, in the modern versions, many things are changed drastically, most notably the characters and their actions! One such example of this is the many different adaptions of what is now known as Rapunzel, the original is an Italian fairytale that is very different from the tales by the Brothers Grimm or Disney that most people are familiar with. Not only plot points but also what certain characters do and how they influence the story. Recently, a novel has been published that takes the Italian and French version of the story and mixes them together. Another story with many interpretations,

This is typical of antagonistic characters written during the time Perrault was alive and writing. In a certain variation rehashing of Cinderella, “Confessions of an Ugly Step-Sister” by Gregory Maguire, even though the setting is a long time ago like Perrault’s version, the writer is of modern times and it is a book instead of a short tale. Because of these factors the characters are more fleshed out and person-like. The reader sees that these ‘ugly stepsister’ are merely girls in poverty trying to have a happy life. They are not evil or cruel; if anything Clara, the Cinderella of this story, can be very cruel despite her beauty. One factor that is similar in both the modern and old tale is the eventual antagonism the stepmother directs at Cinderella. In Maguire’s version even though (stepmothers name) does not force Clara to become a maid(it is in fact Clara’s own choice), the reader finds out that the evil stepmother actually poisoned Clara’s mother so that she could marry Clara’s rich father. In Perrault’s version, the stepmother isn’t shown to be evil to that extent, but she is much more cruel to Cinderella. In both the old and new stories the stepmother remains an evil character, which is a common trop in fairy

Bluebeard has been adapted many times; movies, books, plays, you name it! However the modern version I will be focusing on is Bluebeard’s Egg by Margaret Atwood. This adaption is actually set in a more current setting compared to other adaptions. (TALK ABOUT OTHER VERSIONS). In Atwood’s version is is much more if a psychological horror rather than the gruesome reality of Perrault’s. This is in part due to the different time periods the stories were written in, as well as the time they were set in. In Perrault’s story Bluebeard has gotten away with LITERAL MURDER a bunch of times and never been caught or even accused of killing his past brides. Also, his current bride has never heard any news or rumors of him doing anything sinister. This is more believable in medieval or other past settings as the law enforcement was not as efficient with apprehending criminals. Atwood would have had a substantial amount of trouble convincing readers that the husband is Bluebeard’s Egg had never been caught or even accused of murder. The catch in Atwood’s tale is a much more believable and modern plot device. The husband character is in fact a womanizer (it is implied). One common fairy tale trope used in both of the adaptions is the ‘true bride’ factor. Perrault’s Bluebeard is