Year of Graduation
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MFA: Children’s Book Writing and Illustrating
Directing Professor
Delia Sherman
Abstract
This project provides insight into the monstrous bridegroom trope in fairytale and its influence in modern fantasy literature. The monstrous bridegroom trope has several different variations, but all of these variations result in a young and innocent woman marrying a monster. Through my critical essay, I look at this trope through a modern feminist lens, exploring the different variations of the trope in fairy tales, modern fairy tale adaptations, and fantasy literature. The essay brings in modern ideas of toxic masculinity and toxic femininity and applies them to the fairy tale inspiration of fantasy literature. The monstrous bridegroom trope and the subversion of the idea of a young, innocent woman marrying a monster against her will was the inspiration for my novel The Sword and the Serpent. This subversion occurs by giving the women in the story more agency than women traditionally had in the original versions of fairy tales, as well as celebrating femininity and female camaraderie, and villainizing toxic masculinity.
Recommended Citation
Dittmeier, Gina, "The Sword and the Serpent" (2025). Children's Book Writing and Illustrating (MFA) Theses, Hollins University. 18.
https://digitalcommons.hollins.edu/childrensmfa/18
Contact Information
gina@greatbigdog.com
Purpose Statement
The purpose of preserving this thesis document is to provide a definitive record of student progress upon completion of the degree. This text will not reflect any revisions to the manuscript made after degree completion. For the most current version of the work, please contact its author.
Included in
Children's and Young Adult Literature Commons, Fiction Commons, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Commons, Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons