Happily Ever After A research on the influence of normative femininity and heteronormativity in the happy ending of the show Once Upon A Time.
Summary
In this thesis I will research the happy ending of the character Regina in the show Once Upon A Time based on the question: To what extent is the happy ending in Once Upon A Time influenced by normative femininity and heteronormativity? I will show the division of gender roles and the role of the happy ending in classical fairy tales. I explain the different views on normative femininity and heteronormativity. In my analysis I use a narratological methodology to answer my research question. This research shows that the character Regina has a unique storyline with her own happy ending. Her storyline is different from the classical storyline of the fairy tale heroine that gets her happily ever after marriage as a happy ending. However, Regina’s storyline and happy ending are influenced by normative femininity and heteronormativity, as the fact that Regina does not fit in, shows that the way to fit in is related to normative femininity and heteronormativity. With this research I add information to the theory about normative femininity and heteronormativity and the way they are related to fairy tales. My research also shows that although Once Upon A Time created a new way of presenting the classical fairy tales, the gender role division and the idea of a happy ending are still based on these classical ideas.