The Elusive Ideal of Beauty and Its Reimagining in Fairy Tale Retellings

Abstract

This paper explores the evolution and critique of feminine beauty ideals within fairy tale narratives, focusing specifically on Danielle Teller’s All the Ever Afters. By retelling the Cinderella story from the stepmother’s perspective, the novel disrupts traditional binaries that equate beauty with virtue and ugliness with vice. Drawing on feminist theory and cultural psychology, the study highlights how conventional fairy tales have reinforced patriarchal standards of physical attractiveness, shaping societal expectations of women. Teller’s novel offers a subversive lens that reclaims the voices of marginalized female characters, emphasizing intelligence, resilience, and authenticity over superficial appearance. The article advocates for a broader and more inclusive understanding of beauty, one that challenges harmful stereotypes and affirms the value of diverse female identities.