University of Cambridge: “‘Add a Sword’ Feminism and Fairy Tales”

The Cambridge Research Network for Fairy-Tale Studies is pleased to invite you to an online lecture by award-winning folklorists, teachers, and writers Dr. Sara Cleto and Dr. Brittany Warman. The event is free and will take place on Zoom on 21 February 2024 at 5.00-6.30 pm (UK time zone).

Have you ever wondered why Alice was suddenly wearing full armor and a sword in the Tim Burton live action adaptation? Or why Snow White was tasked with leading an army in Snow White and the Huntsman? In this talk, Drs. Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman of The Carterhaugh School will explore the trend of ‘Add a Sword’ feminism, the phenomenon in which traditionally feminine heroines are equipped with swords and recast as military leaders in fairy-tale adaptations, especially film. What does this trend have to say about gender in fairy tales? About the composition of heroism? What are the benefits and costs of this trend in storytelling, and what other possibilities are currently out there?

Registration link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/cambridgefairytalenetwork/1155082

Dr. Sara Cleto and Dr. Brittany Warman are award-winning folklorists, teachers, and writers with a combined 26 years in higher education and over one hundred publications. Together, they founded The Carterhaugh School of Folklore and the Fantastic, teaching creative souls how to re-enchant their lives through folklore and fairy tales. In 2019, Carterhaugh won the Dorothy Howard Award from the American Folklore Society. When they aren’t teaching at Carterhaugh, they are scholars, writers and best friends who have published peer-reviewed articles, appeared on podcasts, sold stories and poems, written book introductions and encyclopedia entries, and written for magazines and blogs. (They’ve also been known to crush “Total Eclipse of the Heart” at karaoke.) Sara and Brittany also deliver sold-out lectures at venues like the Smithsonian, the Profs & Pints series, the Maryland Renaissance Festival, the Contemporary American Theater Festival, and FaerieCon.

Looking forward to seeing you on 21 February!