What stood out to me the most in the Tatar introduction to Bluebeard is that “cultural historians have been quick to claim that the Perrault’s Bluebeard is based on fact, that it broadcasts the misdeeds of various noblemen.” It is curious that if this is even slightly true, why has this story been transformed into a tale about the deadly curiosity of a woman? The tale’s most distinctive features include male cruelty, murder and cannibalism. They are the true villains, yet Perrault’s moral blames the female! “Curiosity, in spite of its many charms, can bring with it serious regrets; you can see a thousand examples of it everyday. As soon as you satisfy it, its ceases to be. And it always very costly.” So Perrault, you’re telling me as a female, I shouldn’t give into curiosity in such a situation because it will result in me finding out my husband is a vicious murder? As long as I don’t know he enjoys killing women, I will be blissfully happy? Awesome.
I think that this moral is better applied to the Opera that we discussed in class. In this version the male figure is revealing his inner self to the women. All is well and they reach the status of a perfect relationship. Yet she gets greedy and demands more. Unfortunately this is their downfall as a repressed truth is revealed. I think that this version should be more widely told. It teaches a great message on maintaining a happy and balanced relationship. With a little tweaking their roles could be reversed but the message would stay the same: Recognize happiness and accept it. Even in the strongest couples their will and needs to be some secrets- some mystery may even keep a couple in love for a longer period of time. A partner’s secrets will be revealed to the other partner when if they are ready, but seek them out too soon, and the relationship will suffer.
I agree with the moral being better applied to the opera as well, the message can greatly help many in our world today. Pushing is never the answer and ones partner should feel comfortable enough to reveal their entire selves to their significant other. If this feeling is absent, the relationship should be reassessed and discussed as honesty is the best policy to any healthy and successful relationship.
ReplyDeleteWell, I think the obvious answer to your question is that these stories (at least many of them) were written in a time when women were regarded more as objects than they were people. Men thought of themselves as almighty and never wrong, so that's the reason the focus of these stories became the woman's "wrongdoing."
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I don't think you can totally discount that moral. Obviously, people shouldn't murder people or have a horror room, but trust is also an integral part of any relationship. If the lesson were presented in a much less sexist and gruesome way, I think it would be a good all around lesson to teach people in general. However, by focusing on the "transgression" of the wife, the story loses its focus and essentially diverts from its purpose.