A Complex Man: A Fairy Tale Vision of Masculinity circa 1900 to 1935

The folk or fairy tale is a complex combination of elements and functions, and it is these components that have been analysed in order to understand the nuances of the tales, just as Propp did with Morphology of the Folk Tale (Propp,1958 :10). Where Propp was interested in a comparison and classification of plots, this thesis examines the components of masculinity within the texts and illustrations of fairy tales circa 1900 to 1935. The aim is to create a comparison of masculine portrayals, their relationship to the texts and their visual interpretations. This thesis will identify the visual changes in the fairy tale male that have been dictated by changing social dynamics. Illustrations often resist a stereotypical depiction of masculine norms. “Research on resistance to masculine norms is nearly non-existent” (Smiler, 2014: 256), so the illustrations provide an opportunity to identify an atypical description of masculinity in an unexpected domain. They challenge not only the physical expectation of a masculine norm, but also the hegemonic expectation of identity. For example, the distinct lack of any queer male identity within the texts is offset by evidence of queer identities within the imagery. Queer images challenge the hegemonic interpretation of what masculinity (or femininity) means. Where there is a definite hegemonic portray - al in the text of characters, illustrations often give them an identity at odds with the textual expectation. There is no ‘one’ interpretation of a portrayal just as there is no ‘one’ author of a tale. A king may be portrayed in the text as a hegemonic stereotype of patriarchal and masculine dominance, yet the visual interpretation may depict him as a silly, pompous old man in ridiculous attire. Just as storytellers have embellished and altered the tales over time, the visual portrayals are a product of a time, place and artist; evolving with each re-telling and providing a range of perceptions of masculinity.