Bluebeard

The Female Self as Presented by Clarissa Pinkola Estés in Women Who Run With the Wolves. The Stories of Female Initiation, Intuition and Instincts

“…Estés's interpretation is consistent with Jungian psychoanalysis in which "the conflict between Bluebeard and his wife is between two warring aspects of the psyche, reconciliation of which is necessary to individuation" (Hermansson, 2009, p. XVI). Individuation is a term used by Jung to describe "the process of personality development which leads to the fullest possible actualization of the Self.…”

“…Undeniably, there are multiple interpretations of the story and, what is more, it is noticed by critics that the versions appearing in different traditions leave the reader with completely different impressions -the Italian and the English versions produce humorous effects, the German versions are horrific and the French seem dramatic (Hermansson, 2009). Traditionally, however, the tale's interpretations follow Perrault's moral to the story and revolve around the theme of "the evils of female curiosity" (Zipes, 2000, p. 56), depicted in the figure of the young wife who cannot resist the temptation to enter the forbidden chamber.…”

“…Feminist readings of the tale suggest that the fact that Bluebeard's wives are slain for looking into the forbidden chamber is a warning for women against becoming excessively acquainted with their own bodies. Furthermore, postmodern feminists see the chamber as representing History, particularly the history of male physical and sexual violence inflicted on women with the support of culture (Hermansson, 2009). All in all, the most elemental interpretations centre around a prohibition and its transgression, and Bluebeard's wife is seen as "a fairy tale representation of the archetype of female transgressive curiosity" (Hermansson, 2009, p. 15).…”

Gender Alterations in English and French Modernist “Bluebeard” Fairytale

“…The woman is going to discover them anyway, frankly displaying her intentions. Following Hermansson, the fact that Bluebeard secretly collects his wives, is the first case of imprisonment being substituted by the concept of death (Hermansson, 2009). …”