Harry finds his princess

Marrying a prince is often shorthand for social salvation in many a fairytale.

Crossing the Culture Florence Gildea

The lowly, albeit beautiful, servant girl is rescued from a life of poverty and trial when she catches the eye of a prince. Henceforth, they enjoy a life of luxury, ease and – one would hope – love. At first blush, our culture may appear to have rid itself of these stories for their old-fashioned gender roles (the woman tends to be reduced to a passive cipher whose life only becomes meaningful when the prince enters).