Bestowing a kiss upon the witch: The act of bestowing a kiss upon the witch is a complex and debated topic within the realm of folklore and mythology. It is a gesture laden with symbolism and carries great significance in various cultural narratives and traditions. In many tales, the kiss is portrayed as a transformative act, capable of breaking powerful spells or curses. It serves as a catalyst for change, awakening dormant potentials and revealing the true nature of the witch. This transformative power of a kiss represents love, compassion, and the ability to see beyond appearances. However, the act of kissing the witch is not without controversy.
However, the act of kissing the witch is not without controversy. In some narratives, it is seen as a form of manipulation or submission to the witch's powers. It is often depicted as a dangerous and risky endeavor, as witches are often associated with dark and malevolent forces.
“Mouth to Mouth: Queer Desires in Emma Donoghue’s Kissing the Witch.”
This reading of Emma Donoghue’s Kissing the Witch attempts to magnify the “queer moments,” textual and formal, that any reader may (or may not) notice and (re)focus them so that their disruptions come to the fore, thus realigning the relationship between reader and text. Ideally, this reading process will contribute to an understanding of how Kissing the Witch, in conjunction with its reader, can be said to queer fairy tales. This article assumes that once such a reading is produced, it becomes easier to produce, if not more difficult to avoid, similar readings of Kissing the Witch’s intertexts and, by extension, the fairy-tale genre itself.
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This dissertation contributes to scholarship on contemporary fairy-tale fiction and film by looking at the figures of the storyteller and listener and the act of storytelling itself in a range of texts produced or translated into English within the last thirty years. My focus texts include the television mini-series Arabian Nights (1999); the feature length film Pan’s Labyrinth (2006); the collection Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins by Emma Donoghue (1997); and the embedded cycle of stories ―The Story of the Twelve Dancing Princesses‖ in Jeanette Winterson‘s novel Sexing the Cherry (1989). All of these texts thematize the act of narration in a variety of ways and to various ends. I consider how the relationship of narrator and listener is played out in relation to gendered and sexual subjectivity and the desires that the tales inscribe. I ask how each of these texts engages with normative and queer desires, and how these desires are represented and narratively produced through an exploration of the textual dynamics of metanarrational comment, narrative framing, and narrative authority. In the first half of the dissertation I examine the dynamics of narrative authority in two cinematic engagements with the fairy tale. These chapters take the cinematic narrator into account as a prime mover in directing the ways narrative authority flows. I contend that in both cases narrative authority is related to gender and political and familial hierarchies. The second half of my dissertation explores narrative and sexual desire from a perspective that allows for a broader understanding of how hetero-normative and non-normative subjects are textually produced both thematically and formally. I demonstrate a reading practice that seeks ―queer possibility‖ and emphasizes flexibility and epistemological constructs rather than the ontological status of a text as either inherently queer or straight.
It’s a tale as old as time, the people on the fringes of the “doomed” love do nothing but frown upon and try to interfere with the relationship. And frankly, it’s never made sense to me. If you love someone, trust them, then why would you act like that doesn’t matter now that they have a new significant other? I understand that it has to do with being the kind of friend that can tell your loved on when they’re making a mistake. But TV has stereotypically made it so the friend/family member acts like it’s their way or the highway.
Despite the varying interpretations, the act of bestowing a kiss upon the witch remains an enduring symbol of bravery, empathy, and the ability to find beauty and truth where others may only see darkness and danger. It signifies the overcoming of fears and prejudices, and the recognition of the humanity and vulnerability that lies beneath the witch's perceived power and otherness. Ultimately, the act of bestowing a kiss upon the witch is a multifaceted idea that invites exploration and reflection. It challenges societal norms and expectations, and highlights the power of love, understanding, and acceptance in conquering adversity and forging connections across differences..
Reviews for "Kissing the Witch: Breaking Stereotypes and Embracing Individuality"
1. John - 2 stars - I honestly couldn't get into "Bestowing a kiss upon the witch". The storyline was confusing and it seemed to jump around from one event to another without much explanation. The characters were also hard to connect with, as their motives and actions seemed inconsistent throughout the book. Overall, I found the plot to be weak and the writing style to be disjointed.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I was highly disappointed with "Bestowing a kiss upon the witch". The story lacked any depth or originality, and the characters felt flat and one-dimensional. I was hoping for a captivating and immersive read, but instead, I found myself bored and uninterested. The dialogue was uninspiring and the pacing of the narrative was all over the place. I don't understand the hype around this book at all.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I struggled to finish "Bestowing a kiss upon the witch". The writing was overly descriptive to the point of becoming tedious, and it felt like the author was trying too hard to be poetic. The lack of clear direction in the story made it difficult to follow, and the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and engaging read.