Une fee curieuse: Persinette de Charlotte-Rose de Caumont La Force = A fee curieuse: Persinette by Charlotte-Rose de Caumont La Force

Abstract

The fairy of Charlotte-Rose de Caumont La Force's fairy tale Persinette (Rapunzel) is a complex and ambiguous figure that does not fit into a simple binary of victims and aggressors. I argue that La Force's adaptation of the fairy tale of the girl in the tower gives the fairy prominent status as one of the main characters instead of being relegated to the usual secondary role. Of the different versions of this fairy tale, La Force's is the only one with a powerful multidimensional female figure in the fairy role where she is in fact the most dynamic and fascinating character. La Force thereby gives an exceptionally positive view of a powerful female figure.