Introduction

Abstract

What's in a name? Not much if you're Prince Charming. While the erstwhile indistinctive princes and heroes of fairy tales have enjoyed a bit of the spotlight in modern television and film narratives, this exposure has not extended, as much, to the academic study of fairy tale men.

This collection of chapters delves into the often-overlooked realm of contemporary male fairy tale characters, a domain that remains largely unexplored within academic circles. By drawing on diverse narratives from television, film, and literature, this interdisciplinary collection sheds light on the evolving representations of male characters in fairy tales and their intersections with broader socio-cultural themes.

Through an acknowledgement of the historical roots of the fairy tale genre, this collection explores how these characters have transcended their original contexts and infiltrated various fictional genres. By examining the thematic resonance of fairy tales in contemporary narratives, this collection underscores its enduring influence on modern storytelling.

This collection seeks to fill the scholarly void surrounding male fairy tale characters, particularly within the realms of queer studies, gender studies, and postcolonial studies. By including a range of academic approaches, from character analysis to fan studies to film and television studies, this collection enriches the understanding of the complex role of male characters in modern fairy tale discourse.

Citation

Le Clue, N. (2024), "Introduction", Le Clue, N. (Ed.) Gender and the Male Character in 21st Century Fairy Tale Narratives (Emerald Studies in Popular Culture and Gender), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83753-788-420241001