Illusion of a Fairytale
The poems in this book all act as satire of the idea of a perfect fairytale ending. While the majority of the poems start off with the traditional tale, they quickly diverge to a new path, often comical to the reader. For example, in Red Riding Hood, the reader expects for her to get eaten, but instead, Dahl, takes a twist on it, and shows how Red Riding Hood got the upper hand over the wolf. Moreover, in Cinderella, the narrator expresses Cinderella's desire for a happy life, which she thinks is with the Prince, but actually, she realizes that she can find happiness with an ordinary civilian just as easily.
Feminism
As majority of the poems focus on the tales of young women, there are strong moments of fierce independence and power that the reader experiences from the female characters. For example, Snow White ends up becoming the breadwinner in the tale, with her ability to use the mirror to magically predict the winning bets for the seven jockeys. Cinderella also takes her fate in her own hands by leaving the Prince for an ordinary man. Red Riding Hood also taken on a traditionally more masculine role of avid hunter, with how she strips the two wolves and pig for her clothing. All of this tales play on the supposed role that women should play in society.
