The quote highlights the increasing awareness that fairy tales impose significant expectations on female characters as one matures. Initially, these stories may seem harmless or enchanting, but they can set unrealistic standards for women's behavior, roles, and aspirations. As a result, they shape societal perceptions of femininity in ways that can be restrictive.

Roxane Gay's discussion in "Bad Feminist: Essays" invites readers to critically evaluate the narratives we consume and the messages they convey. It encourages reflection on how these tales influence real-life expectations and the importance of redefining female roles beyond traditional fairy tale archetypes.