History Literature / ATaleOf

* NeverMyFault: The Prince blames the curse and his inability to break it on others -- Circe, the Odd Sisters, Princess Tulip, etc. -- never acknowledging that it's his heartlessness that provoked the curse in the first place and is the key reason he can't break it. Eventually, as his relationship with Belle progresses, he abandons this line of thinking. (Admittedly, there ''may'' be some truth behind blaming the Odd Sisters, who are intent on everything going wrong and the curse becoming permanent.)

* SpotlightStealingSquad: The Odd Sisters. While they were in ''Fairest of All'', they only turned up now and then to push the Queen further along the road to madness. ''The Beast Within'' has them much more actively involved in the plot, such as being the cause of several canon events (the wolves pursuing Belle when she leaves the castle, the Beast choosing to spare Gaston's life). This makes the Beast, who is the supposed protagonist, come across as more of a DecoyProtagonist. The Odd Sisters are joined by Princess Tulip and Nanny in ''Poor Unfortunate Soul'', which alternates the fallout of the previous book's events as with Ursula's {{Revenge}} quest against Triton but again seems more concerned with the original characters than Ursula. (Ariel barely appears.)

* KarmaHoudini: The Odd Sisters get off scot-free in ''Fairest of All''. (A few reader reviews at Amazon.com also argue that the Prince/Beast is this in relation to his crimes in ''The Beast Within'', but this was not intentional.) However, ''Poor Unfortunate Soul'' reveals that they do end up being abandoned by their sister Circe over the events of ''The Beast Within'' -- not that they have an epiphany over it or anything.

* {{Crossover}}: The series establishes ''WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs'', ''WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}}'', ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast'', ''WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid'', ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'', and ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'' as sharing a common setting of several adjoining kingdoms, with the films listed in more or less the order of when their events unfold in the timeline. The Odd Sisters have a hand in the events of ''all'' of them. (The presence of the Blue Fairy in ''Mistress of All Evil'' suggests that ''WesternAnimation/{{Pinocchio}}'' also exists in this setting.)

* AdaptationalSympathy: The entire series does this to all the Disney Villains ([[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and the Beast]]) by expounding on their backstories. This includes showing that [[WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs The Evil Queen]] was the victim of an abusive father, [[WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}} Mother Gothel]]'s own mother was just as wicked as she was and almost killed her sisters, [[WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast The Beast]] had a lot of his own worst traits brought out by Gaston, [[WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty Maleficent]] was the victim of bullying due to a birth defect, while [[WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid Ursula]] was a target for FantasticRacism at the hands of both the people of her native village and even her own brothers, King Triton.

* AdaptationalSympathy: The entire series does this to all the Disney Villains ([[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and the Beast]]) by expounding on their backstories. This includes showing that [[WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs The Evil Queen]] was the victim of an abusive father, [[WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}} Mother Gothel]]'s own mother was just as wicked as she was and almost killed her sisters, [[WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast The Beast]] had a lot of his own worst traits brought out by Gaston, [[WesternAnimation/Frozen2013 Prince Hans]] grew up under an abusive family (combined with the fact that his father effectively ''lobotomized'' his mother), [[WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty Maleficent]] was the victim of bullying due to a birth defect, while [[WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid Ursula]] was a target for FantasticRacism at the hands of both the people of her native village and even her own brothers, King Triton.

* NamesTheSame:
As mentioned above, the King’s name is Hubert, the same as Prince Phillip’s father in Sleeping Beauty.

* ''Fairest of All: A Tale of [[WesternAnimation/SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs the Wicked Queen]]'' (2009)
* ''The Beast Within: A Tale of [[WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast Beauty's Prince]]'' (2014)
* ''Poor Unfortunate Soul: A Tale of [[WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid the Sea Witch]]'' (2016)
* ''Mistress of All Evil: A Tale of [[WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty the Dark Fairy]]'' (2017)
* ''Mother Knows Best: A Tale of [[WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}} the Old Witch]]'' (2018)
* ''The Odd Sisters: A Tale of [[WesternAnimation/TheBlackCauldron the Three Witches]]'' (2019)
* ''Evil Thing: A Tale of [[WesternAnimation/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians that Devil Woman]]'' (2020)
* ''Cold Hearted: A Tale of [[WesternAnimation/{{Cinderella}} the Wicked Stepmother]]'' (2021)
* ''Never Never: A Tale of [[WesternAnimation/PeterPan Captain Hook]]'' (2022)

* NamedByTheAdaptation: Cinderella’s father is named Richard.

* WitchSpecies: Gothel comes from a long line of witches. They apparently all reproduce using [[TrulySingleParent magic]].

* LivingMoodRing: In ''Mistress of All Evil'', Maleficent's skin changes color depending on her mood. It's a light purple when she's happy or nervous, but turns green when she's bitter.

* GoldDigger: Sir Richard, who seduced the widowed Lady Tremaine for her inheritance from her first husband.

* AbusiveParents: Surprisingly, Cinderella’s father, Sir Richard. Even though he clearly adored his child, he spoiled her and kept her shut away from society so that she had NoSocialSkills, and taught her to obey orders without question. Even if he had the best of intentions, keeping his child isolated and valuing her obedience above all else is bad parenting. And that’s not even mentioning how mean he is to his stepdaughters.
* AdaptationalVillainy: Even from what little we saw and heard of Cinderella’s father, it was always heavily implied that he was a kind man and devoted father who did no wrong. In ''Cold Hearted'', her father, Sir Richard, is actually an [[DomesticAbuse abusive husband to Lady Tremaine]], [[GoldDigger having married her for her first husband’s inheritance]] and forcing her to cook and clean for the family. Not only that, he abused Anastasia and Drizella, always seeing them as less than his own daughter, who, while adored by her father, was kept isolated by him and taught to obey him without question, which we all know will end up biting her back in her predestined future.

* InnocentlyInsensitive: Cinderella is still her sweet self, but it’s shown she has NoSocialSkills due to her father isolating her. She repeats her father’s words that she isn’t allowed to call Lady Tremaine “Mama”, and of her own mother always being lady of the house, no matter who else her papa weds, not understanding that such things are hurtful to her stepmother. What’s more, Cinderella’s intense loyalty and love for her father blinds her to his less-than-noble traits, that she does not think it a betrayal telling him that her stepmother was trying to leave him. This act, sadly, sets off Lady Tremaine’s hatred for the girl, and with it, the events in the original story.

* TroubledAbuser: Lady Tremaine loved Cinderella at first, but Sir Richard was terribly abusive to her and her daughters. When Lady Tremaine planned to escape in secret, Cinderella told her father, not realizing the consequences or why she’d want to leave. Sir Richard attacked his new wife and locked her in her room until she submitted to his will. Bitter and desperate, she killed Sir Richard to escape his abuse. Her abuse of Cinderella afterwards is revenge for squealing to her father and ruining her best chance to get out.

* WellIntentionedExtremist: Everything Richard does, he does for the sake of his daughter’s well-being and happiness. However, he’s so wrapped up in fulfilling his own child’s needs and desires, he completely neglects those of his second wife and stepdaughters, to the point where he abuses all three of them when he believes they will be a threat to Cinderella’s future.
* WickedStepfather: Believe it or not, Cinderella’s father. Like Lady Tremaine in the future/original story, he blatantly favored his biological child and abused his stepdaughters. He forced them to help their mother, whom he also abused, with the household chores, and denied them the opportunities that he gave Cinderella freely.

* CinderellaCircumstances: Ironically enough, in this adaptation, this happened to Cinderella’s stepsisters before it happened to Cinderella herself. Cinderella’s father, Sir Richard, made Anastasia and Drizella help their mother with the chores and kept them away from court, all while spoiling his own child and declaring that she was better than his stepchildren.

* WickedStepfather: Believe it or not, Cinderella’s father. Like Lady Tremaine in the future/original story, he blatantly favored his biological child and abused his stepdaughters. He [[CinderellaCircumstances forced them to help their mother, whom he also abused, with the household chores, and denied them the opportunities that he gave Cinderella freely]].

* AdaptationalVillainy: Even from what little we saw and heard of Cinderella’s father, it was always heavily implied that he was a kind man and devoted father who did no wrong. In Cold Hearted, her father, Sir Richard, is actually an [[DomesticAbuse abusive husband to Lady Tremaine]], [[GoldDigger having married her for her first husband’s inheritance]] and forcing her to cook and clean for the family. Not only that, he abused Anastasia and Drizella, always seeing them as less than his own daughter, who, while adored by her father, was kept isolated by him and taught to obey him without question, which we all know will end up biting her back in her predestined future.

* WickedStepfather: Believe it or not, Cinderella’s father. Like Lady Tremaine in the future/original story, he blatantly favored his biological child and abused his stepdaughters. He [[CinderellaCircumstances forced them to help their mother, who he also abused, with the household chores, and denied them the opportunities that he gave Cinderella freely]].

* AdaptationalJerkass: Even from what little we saw and heard of Cinderella’s father, it was always heavily implied that he was a kind man and devoted father who did no wrong. In Cold Hearted, her father, Sir Richard, is actually an [[DomesticAbuse abusive husband to Lady Tremaine]], [[GoldDigger having married her for her first husband’s inheritance]] and forcing her to cook and clean for the family. Not only that, he abused Anastasia and Drizella, always seeing them as less than his own daughter, who, while adored by her father, was kept isolated by him and taught to obey him without question, which we all know will end up biting her back in her predestined future.

* CinderellaCircumstances: Ironically enough, in this adaptation, this happened to Cinderella’s stepsisters before it happened to Cinderella herself. Cinderella’s father, Sir Richard, made Anastasia and Drizella help their mother with the chores and kept them away from court, all while spoiling his own child and implying that she was better and more beautiful than his stepchildren.

* InnocentlyInsensitive: Cinderella is still her sweet self, but it’s shown she has NoSocialSkills, due to her father isolating her. She repeats her father’s words that she isn’t allowed to call Lady Tremaine “Mama”, and of her own mother always being lady of the house, no matter who else her papa weds, not understanding that such things are hurtful to her stepmother. What’s more, Cinderella’s intense loyalty and love for her father blinds her to his less-than-noble traits, that she does not think it a betrayal telling him that her stepmother was trying to leave him. This act, sadly, sets off Lady Tremaine’s hatred for the girl, and with it, the events in the original story.
* TheLostLenore: A ugly side of this trope is seen in the story. Sir Richard, despite remarrying, constantly speaks of his wife and keeps her picture up even after Lady Tremaine moves in. He forbids his daughter to call Lady Tremaine “Mama” like she’d wish, and tells her that her own mother will always be lady of the house, despite who he marries after. When Lady Tremaine redecorates, Richard scolds her for giving away his late wife’s things. The truth is, Richard acts like his first wife is still alive and devotes all his love to her, while treating his second wife like a servant who’s only there to care for his child.

* TheLostLenore: A ugly side of this trope is seen in the story. Sir Richard, despite remarrying, constantly speaks of his wife and keeps her picture up even after Lady Tremaine moves in. He forbids his daughter to call Lady Tremaine “Mama” like she’d wish, and tells her that her own mother will always be lady of the house, despite who he marries after. When Lady Tremaine redecorates, Richard scolds her for giving away his late wife’s things. The truth is, Richard acts like his first wife is still alive and devotes all his love to her, while treating his second wife like a servant who’s only there to care for his child.

* WellIntentionedExtremist: Everything Richard does, he does for the sake of his daughter’s well-being and happiness. However, he’s so wrapped up in fulfilling his own child’s needs and desires, he completely neglects those of his second wife and stepdaughters, to the point where he abuses all three of them when he believes they will be a threat to Cinderella’s future.

* TheLostLenore: A ugly side of this trope is seen in the story. Sir Richard, despite remarrying, constantly speaks of his wife and keeps her picture up even after Lady Tremaine moves in. He forbids his daughter to call Lady Tremaine “Mama” like she’d wish, and tells her that her own mother will always be lady of the house, despite who he marries after. When Lady Tremaine redecorates, Richard scolds her for giving away his late wife’s things. The truth is, Richard acts like his first wife is still alive and devotes all his love to her, while treating his second wife like a servant who’s only there to care for his child.

* WellIntentionedExtremist: Everything Richard does, he does for the sake of his daughter’s well-being and happiness. However, he’s so wrapped up in fulfilling his own child’s needs and desires, he completely neglects those of his second wife and stepdaughters, to the point where he abuses all three of them when he believes they will be a threat to Cinderella’s future.

[[folder: ''Cold Hearted: A Tale of the Wicked Stepmother]]
* AbusiveParents: Surprisingly, Cinderella’s father, Sir Richard. Even though he clearly adored his child, he spoiled her and kept her shut away from society so that she had NoSocialSkills, and taught her to obey orders without question, which we all know ended up biting her in the butt in the future. Even if he had the best of intentions, keeping his child isolated and valuing her obedience above all else is bad parenting. And that’s not even mentioning how mean he is to his stepdaughters.
* AdaptationalJerkass: Even from what little we saw and heard of Cinderella’s father, it was always heavily implied that he was a kind man and devoted father who did no wrong. In Cold Hearted, her father, Sir Richard, is actually an [[DomesticAbuse abusive husband to Lady Tremaine]], [[GoldDigger having married her for her first husband’s inheritance]] and forcing her to cook and clean for the family. Not only that, he abused Anastasia and Drizella, always seeing them as less than his own daughter, who, while adored by her father, was kept isolated by him and taught to obey him without question, which we all know will not do her much good in her predestined future.

* DomesticAbuse: Sir Richard tricked Lady Tremaine into marrying him so he could inherit her first husband’s money through marriage, since all a woman’s assets went to her husband once they were wed. Once they were married, he forced her to do all the chores, constantly compared her to his first wife, and denied her freedom of any kind, even the freedom to decorate the house and hire new staff to help her burden. When she tries to leave, Richard [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything refuses to let her go and locks her in her room]].

* InnocentlyInsensitive: Cinderella is still her sweet self, but it’s shown she has NoSocialSkills, due to her father isolating her. She repeats her father’s words that she may not address Lady Tremaine as her mama, despite the lady’s wishes, and of her own mother always being lady of the house, no matter who else her papa weds, not understanding that such things are hurtful to her stepmother. What’s more, Cinderella’s intense loyalty and love for her father blinds her to his less-than-noble traits, that she does not think it a betrayal telling him that her stepmother was trying to leave him. This act, sadly, sets off Lady Tremaine’s hatred for the girl, and with it, the events in the original story.

* WickedStepfather: Believe it or not, Cinderella’s father. Like Lady Tremaine in the future/original story, he blatantly favored his biological child and abused his stepdaughters. He [[CinderellaCircumstances forced them to help their mother, who he also abused, with the household chores, and denied them the opportunities that he gave Cinderella freely]]. When the girls came of age to present at court, Richard decided to present only his own daughter, saying that Anastasia and Drizella were too ugly to present at court.

* AdapationalJerkass: Even from what little we saw and heard of Cinderella’s father, it was always heavily implied that he was a kind man and devoted father who did no wrong. In Cold Hearted, her father, Sir Richard, is actually an abusive husband to Lady Tremaine, having married her for her first husband’s inheritance and forcing her to cook and clean for the family. Not only that, he abused Anastasia and Drizella, always seeing them as less than his own daughter, who, while adored by her father, was kept isolated by him and taught to obey him without question, which we all know will not do her much good in her predestined future.

* WickedStepfather: Believe it or not, Cinderella’s father. Like Lady Tremaine in the future/original story, he blatantly favored his biological child and abused his stepdaughters. He forced them to help their mother, who he also abused, with the household chores, and denied them the opportunities that he gave Cinderella freely. When the girls came of age to present at court, Richard decided to present only his own daughter, saying that Anastasia and Drizella were too ugly to present at court.

* NamedByTheAdaptation:
* WickedStepfather: