Grumwald and Princess Stephanie

These two characters in Penn’s fairy tale become allegorical representations of Claude/Poppy’s struggle to come to terms with her gender identity and be accepted by the community. Princess Stephanie is a night fairy and faces the challenge of keeping her identity a secret. Finally, she and Grumwald are revealed to be the same entity, who makes a choice to be both.

Suit of Armor

The suit of armor in Penn’s fairy tale represents the ability to defend oneself from society through fantasy. The suit of armor outside Grumwald’s bedroom contains an endless “story wanting to get out” (29). The function of armor is defensive. When Grumwald wishes to leave home, he has “infinite stories to see him through, words without end to light his way, to tell him out of any danger” (106). The ability to create stories is one...