1. “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”
Four Critical Interpretations

8. The End
(but not the last word!)

9. 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”

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

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

12. 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

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

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

15. 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

16. 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)

17. 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

18. 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.

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

20. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27. 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

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

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

30. 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

31. And the big question is

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