Blog Entry 9

There were many adaptations of “Bluebeard” by Charles Perrault, each following a similar theme revolving around curiosity and disobedience. In his tale, Bluebeard gives a set of keys to his wife and tells her specifically not to go into a certain room while he is gone. This sparked curiosity in her. She went into the chamber and discovered many female bodies, then got into trouble with Bluebeard and almost got killed when she confronted him about it. This plot line carries with “Fitcher’s Bird” and “The Robber Bridegroom.” There was a test given to each wife by the husband. In “The Robber Bridegroom” and “Bluebeard,” they were told not to enter a room while in the other story, she was given an egg, not a key. Each also ends with a male figure saving the woman.

In all three stories, a male character arrives at the end to save the heroine. For “Bluebeard,” it was the brothers; for “Fitcher’s Bird,” it was the male helpers; and for “The Robber Bridegroom,” the bride’s father killed her fiancé.

Photo credits: Brittanica

Each story has unique characteristics. The egg and key being covered in blood symbolize sexual maturity and the loss of innocence in “Fitcher’s Bird” and “Bluebeard.” 

I personally didn’t enjoy and of these tales very much. They’re all centered around the idea that women should not be curious and should not question the actions of her husband. If you don’t want to get snooped on, don’t hide anything from the start. It’s really that simple.