Femininity in Fairy Tales

The book by Swiss analytical psychologist Marie-Louise von Franz provides the reader with a perspective on the concept of "femininity" in the context of folk tale plots, such as "Sleeping Beauty", "The Little Thornbush", "Snow White and Rose Red", "The Girl Without Hands", "Vasilisa the Beautiful", and others. The author pays attention to religious symbols and images from the perspective of femininity, as well as explores the culture's and society's attitude towards its manifestations.
M.-L. von Franz examines clinical cases from her practice, interpreting her patients' dreams through the lens of fairy tale plots. The book offers a psychological interpretation of fairy tales regarding the manifestation of negative and positive maternal complexes and the aggressive influence of the animus on a woman's life. The author particularly focuses on the process of individuation and the development of the feminine self, including the factors that hinder this event.
The edition is of interest not only to psychologists, psychotherapists, educators, and students of psychology faculties but also to a broader audience.