Characters in fairy tales: Female archetypes subversion of witches, princes and fairies

Abstract

We will make a brief theoretical overview of the characters in fairy tales and how they have evolved and changed throughout the history of literature. This theoretical updating initiates with Vladimir Propp and ends with more current studies, including those ones focusing on Children and Young Adults Literature, which have analysed the changes in the character's roles and even their characteristics. Then, the three most important archetypes used in wonderful tales - witches, princesses and fairies in particular- will be introduced. The development of characters' features and function will be explained, from oral fairy tales to Children and Young Adult Literature.