“Blue Beard.” Old French Fairy Tales, Charles Perrault, Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1899, pp. 126-137.
Tale Summary
A rich gentleman called Blue Beard is unable to find a new wife due to his unusual beard and rumors about his missing wives. After lavishly entertaining a group of ladies, the youngest daughter of a noble lady decides to marry him. He gives his wife a set of keys to all the treasures in the house, commanding her not to use the smallest key, and leaves for business. She discovers his murdered wives after her curiosity gets the best of her. When Blue Beard returns and sees the key, stained with blood, he decides to kill her. She persuades him to let her pray first, and her sister signals their brothers for help. They kill Blue Beard, his widow inherits his wealth, and she eventually marries again and lives happily ever after.
Fairy Tale Title
Blue Beard
Fairy Tale Author(s)/Editor(s)
Charles Perrault
Fairy Tale Illustrator(s)
None listed
Common Tale Type
Maiden-killer
Tale Classification
ATU 312
Page Range of Tale
pp. 126-137
Full Citation of Tale
“Blue Beard.” Old French Fairy Tales, Charles Perrault, Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1899, pp. 126-137.
Original Source of the Tale
Charles Perrault
Tale Notes
Unlike the Grimm Brothers’ version, in Charles Perrault's version Blue Beard entertains his guests to win over a wife, the girl decides to marry Blue Beard of her own volition instead of being pressured to, and the girl’s sister call for their brothers to save her. Also, in other versions, the girl returns home with her brothers and keeps the treasures, remaining a widow. Here in Perrault’s she shares her wealth with her sister and two brothers, keeping the rest for herself and her new husband.
Research and Curation
Aisha O., 2020
Book Title
Old French Fairy Tales
Book Author/Editor(s)
Charles Perrault, Madame D'Aulnoy, etc.
Illustrator(s)
"Two hundred illustrations by the most celebrated French artists"
Publisher
Little, Brown, and Company
Date Published
1899
Decade Published
1890-1899
Publisher City
Boston
Publisher Country
United States
Language
English
Rights
Public Domain
Digital Copy
Book Notes
None