ensures that her sisters will not starve and become homeless by setting them up with financially capable husbands. In order to survive and prosper, Molly adjusts her qualities to more “paternal” features like acting as breadwinner and providing security for her dependents. In “Molly Whuppie,” Molly, the strong-willed heroine, is the epitome of a woman in modern society. Her governing presence helps her in times of jeopardy, along with quick-wittedness in “life or death” situations and a paternal instinct to support her dependent sisters. Her exceptional leadership, despite being the youngest, shows her maturity. She breaks the status quo: Arranged marriages became ladders to upward mobility. “Happily ever after” doesn’t mean marrying for love but gaining wealth and reputation. Subversive acts, rather than virtue, lead to success. An authoritative woman, not a man, gains prestige. A heroine who is neither morally superior nor extraordinarily magical—an ordinary woman—triumphs in this story. Molly embodies an average woman whose only foundation and weapon is her ingenuity. Molly demonstrates that anyone can be victorious without coercion and weaponry, enchantment or sorcery, and without the usual “goody two-shoes” personality. Molly’s and her sisters’ advancements to higher social statuses and greater prosperity come about due to Molly’s adaptation of traditionally masculine traits. In a society where men are prominent, Molly models success by adopting dominance, street smarts, and paternal qualities, all features commonly associated with men. References Jacobs, J. (2007, July 6). Molly Whuppie. Retrieved from http://surlalunefairytales.com/jack beanstalk/stories/mollywhuppie.html (Original work published 1890). Lang, A. (Ed.). (2007, July 6). Esben and the witch. Retrieved from http://surlalunefairytales.com/ jackbeanstalk/stories/esbenwitch.html (Original work published 1897).
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