The aim of this paper is to explore what kind of insight and wisdom The Tale of Despereaux suggests for the readers. Kate Dicamillo has her own interest on the ideal relationship between woman and man. For her, the ideal relationship indicates a potential possibility of constructing a new man and a new women on the innovative basis different totally from the patriarchal tradition.
This new relationship will bring new understanding and new balance to man and woman by respecting their freedom and independence - a new partnership. For the theme, some classic fairy tales and The Tale of Despereaux will be compared and analysed, focusing on how men and women roles can be set up differently but creatively. This is what feminists' writing of fairy tale have tried to do until now.
Fairy tales has been read through long generations. However, some of classic fairy tales are not suitable for the modem society. In particular the classic fairy tales represent typical sex roles and characteristics for man and woman out of old fashion. According to the classic fairy tales, women should beautiful, weak and docile for the domestic life, but men are brave, strong and logical to build the socio-economic world. These fairy tales emphasize on the submissive attitudes for women by accepting the norms of the patriarchal society. This kind of thinking is too old and completely out of date.
I will deal with new insight and wisdom in terms of new relationship between man and woman with new concepts and attitudes, that is based on new cooperative and equal partnership between them. The Tale of Despereaux shows a newly changed relationship by describing new types of man and woman. The hero, Despereaux, who is a little mice, is very weak but he is brave like an invincible knight, finally rescuing a princess in the dark dungeon. Despereaux is a little strong man, furthermore, he is warm, gentle, kind, even, sensitive. The heroine, the princess who is of course beautiful, is very strong, wise and intelligent with the feeling and emotion. Her mind is well educated, thus, prepared well enough to save her kingdom in peril, when her father, the king. becomes invalid. She brings hope and happiness to her kingdom. Despereaux and the princess symbolize new types of man and woman.
For the thesis I have explored these three main points. Firstly, new human relationship should be rooted in the importance of mutual respect and love. Secondly, woman has her independent subject as well as her own life; she is not man's property. Lastly, man and woman should understand each other in their harmonious and balanced relationship. These insights and wisdoms are what The Tale of Despereaux truly speaks to us figuratively.