Character Quote by Theodora Goss
““I will tell you, too, that every fairy tale has a moral. The moral of my story may be that love is a constraint, as strong as any belt. And this is certainly true, which makes it a good moral. Or it may be that we are all constrained in some way, either in our bodies, or in our hearts or minds, an Empress as well as the woman who does her laundry. ... Perhaps it is that a shoemaker's daughter can bear restraint less easily than an aristocrat, that what he can bear for three years she can endure only for three days. ... Or perhaps my moral is that our desire for freedom is stronger than love or pity. That is a wicked moral, or so the Church has taught us. But I do not know which moral is the correct one. And that is also the way of a fairy tale.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Fairy Tales Reimagined, Theodora Goss, 2018
Fairy tales embed morals, often conflicting, reflecting constraints of love, freedom, and societal roles, leaving interpretation open.
In simple terms: Fairy tales teach complex morals about love and freedom.
Key Takeaway
Consider multiple moral perspectives when interpreting stories.
Themes
literature
morality
love
freedom
constraints
Mood
thoughtful
philosophical
Type
reflective
inspirational
When to use this quote
- parenting
- education
- creative writing
- psychotherapy
Key Concepts
ethical ambiguity
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- Which moral resonates most with you?
- How do constraints shape personal choices?
A Different Perspective
May confuse readers seeking clear lessons.
![“Writing two stories [in the Thorn and the Blossom] about the same set of events that were complete stories in themselves, but also added up to a larger story. As I was writing them, I kept going back and forth, because something would happen in one story that would have to be reflected in the…” quote by Theodora Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c0d/theodora-goss-10051_back-and-forth_writing-two-stories-in-the-thorn-and-the_213001.jpg)
![“The editor, Stephen Segal, actually called me with the idea of creating an accordion book [ "The Thorn & The Blossom"], and asked if I could write a story for it. I was so intrigued! I immediately knew that it had to be a love story told from the points of view of the two main characters. Right…” quote by Theodora Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a5d/theodora-goss-10051_accordions_the-editor-stephen-segal-actually-called_440631.jpg)
![“The book itself [The Thorn and The Blossom] is bound accordion-style: it has no spine, so it can open in either direction, and it's in a slipcase.” quote by Theodora Goss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d8f/theodora-goss-10051_accordion_the-book-itself-the-thorn-and-the-blosso_508857.jpg)
