“Goldilocks and the Three Bears” Four Critical Interpretations

The End (but not the last word!)

Historical: Uncovering the Past More a cautionary tale for children than a fairy tale Originally entitled “The Three Bears” Protagonist was an old crone, then a girl named “Silver Hair” then “Silver-Locks” then “Golden Hair” then “Goldilocks”

Formalist: Critical Themes The struggle with one’s place The search for identity

Formalist: Family Dynamics Bears represent a nuclear family Their pleasant cottage is invaded by an unwelcome outsider

Psychoanalytic: Oedipal Complex G. explores gender and family roles: father, mother, child This is also a search for self and her position within the family G. is ultimately expelled for her experimentation

Psychoanalytic: Oedipal Complex G. is curious about what adults do “behind closed doors” G. is tempted by the temporary absence of “parents”

Psychoanalytic: Oedipal Complex – Papa Bear Father role does not fit G. Intimacy with the father is “too hot!”

Psychoanalytic: Oedipal Complex – Mama Bear Mother’s bed is “too soft” = fear of engulfment and suffocation (return to the womb) Mother’s milk (porridge) is “too cold” and no longer satisfies

Psychoanalytic: Sibling Rivalry – Baby Bear’s POV G. is an intruder from nowhere G. usurps his place in the family = mother’s milk, place at the table, bed(room)

Psychoanalytic: Sibling Rivalry – Baby Bear’s POV BB.’s shrill voice awakens the sleeping G. BB. shrieks to drive off the newcomer G. goes back from whence she came The insider wins

Archetypal: Individuation– the Adolescent G. is the adolescent at once a child yet exploring individuation The tale leaves the reader dissatisfied – it offers no place for G.

Archetypal: Individuation Being lost in the forest = quest to find oneself G. is an outside intruder who never becomes an insider

Archetypal: Individuation Fear of clinging to the mother = desire for individuation Only the child position is “just right” However, she has outgrown the child’s chair G. is too old to regress into an infant

Archetypal: Individuation– the Adolescent Defeated, G. runs away (back into the forest?) Running away from a problem = unconscious denial or repression

Archetypal: Individuation – the Adolescent G. tries to navigate her basic human position This is a tremendous psychological battle that every human must undergo

Archetypal: Magic Threes -- Home Invasion “looked in at the window” “peeped in at the keyhole” “lifted the latch”

Archetypal: Magic Threes – Family Unit Papa Bear = male (anima) Mama Bear = female (animus) Baby Bear (no gender assigned)

Archetypal: Magic Threes -- Homewrecker 3 Dishes = nourishment 3 Chairs = support 3 Beds = intimacy

Feminist: A Woman’s Place G. is relegated to the domestic setting: Kitchen = domesticity Living Room = family center Bedroom = intimacy

Feminist: A Woman’s Place G.’s looks are foremost: “Goldilocks” = blond curls Contrasts with her brazen behavior Judged more harshly than a naturally exuberant and adventurous boy

Feminist: A Woman’s Place G. “whines” G. is indecisive G. is fickle G. is hard to please

Feminist: A Woman’s Place G. is a threat to home/marital harmony G. has been in Papa Bear’s bed! = home-wrecker

Feminist: A Bear’s Place Mama bear follows Papa Bear’s lead Baby bear patterns himself after his parents Sees mother subordinate to father Sees girl as a negative figure

And the big question is. . . .

Feminist: A Bear’s Place What gender have you always assumed Baby Bear is?