XO – The Witch

I think Donoghue rewrote thirteen fairytales capturing the essence of modern day women. The tales are narrated by strong, smart women and the stories are creatively and meticulously intertwined. We have grown up with the idea embezzled into our heads that witches and step mothers are evil, Donoghue challenges these ideals and many others throughout the novel therefore I think her theme of different perspectives suits the title, “Kissing the Witch”. The Tale of the Needle speaks to how girls and boys are raised under the false assumptions that they are heaven sent angels who are not required to lift a finger, like many of the spoiled and sheltered youth of today. Yet like the girl in the story, it’s not their fault that they were taught never to wonder or take risks, “And I believed every word of it. Why would they have said it unless it was true?” (169). I love the turn the story takes when the wise old woman says, “Listen, girl, she said, they’ve tried to stop me teaching any of the things I know. Now they’re trying to prevent you from learning all the things you don’t. But gifts can only be delayed” (178). In the end, the girl takes control of her life and her education -instead of doing what she is told.

I love the spin on the Little Mermaid, I’ve never really thought of it as a fairytale until I read the Tale of the Voice. The way that Donoghue is upfront and plays with the typical storyline is brilliant, “There is always a him, she pointed out. A girl comes here for three reasons. To catch him, to quicken his blood, or to bring on her own” (190). I like this passage because it made me realize that the majority of fairytales boils down to getting a guy or cursing him for whatever reason, it is always about a him. Even though she warns her that he isn’t worth giving up a part of her, she doesn’t listen. Personally, I can relate to this because I or my friends have, at least in one point of our lives altered, compromised who we were for a guy to like us, “Your silence is the cost of what you sought, she said; it had nothing to do with me. What would I want with your voice? The music you make has always been in your power” (203). Somehow girls are under the impression that being ourselves isn’t enough, but the truth is that if the guy is right for us, there should be nothing we have to change or sacrifice in order to receive his affection. I think this is such an important lesson for girls to realize no man is worth it if he has a price tag, if only we all had a witch to guide us through life.