As the month of May comes to an end, it’s odd to think we are almost half way through the year. Feels like I accomplished a lot, but there’s so much more to do. That endless task list seems to grow, including wanting to do more horror collages.
The collage on the right is the only one I was able to accomplish this month. Then again, maybe I should be happy I can accomplish at least 1 a month. This one was fun, filling the room with a vampire scene. I used photos and AI for this one. Quite shocked that the chandelier turned out as well as it did using AI.
Lots of other AI usage via ChatGPT this month. I’m amazed by how well it works for the written word considering the issues I’ve had with image generators. The only issue I’ve encountered so far is a misunderstanding of relationships, with it insisting two characters were mother and daughter. It still hasn’t learned the relationship dynamics.
I hope you’re enjoying the Evil in Pop Culture series I’m doing with AI. It’s been fun to generate all of the evil stepmother content with more coming. I’m having a hard time trying to figure out all the content needed for each evil character, but AI will help with that.
The evil stepmother has been featured in folklore, fairy tales, mythology, and literature for centuries, and she’s still a popular character who will appear in storylines for many years to come. While her archetype has evolved over time, she’s still portrayed as cruel, malicious, abusive, and all around wicked toward her stepchildren. This character has been a staple in stories dating back to ancient times, but how did she get her start and why does she continue to be so popular?
One of the earliest mentions of an evil stepmother dates to the Bible, in the story of Jacob and his two wives, Rachel and Leah. Leah is portrayed as the kind and nurturing wife, while Rachel is described as jealous and controlling. Rachel’s behavior towards her stepchildren is characterized by cruelty and manipulation as she tries to gain favor with her husband, like so many evil stepmothers do.
The archetype of the wicked stepmother traces back to ancient folklore and mythology from various cultures around the world. In many traditional stories, stepmothers are depicted as antagonistic figures who mistreat or harm their stepchildren out of jealousy, rivalry, or malevolence. In Greek mythology, the story of the sorceress Medea further solidifies the image of the evil stepmother when she seeks revenge on her husband, Jason, by killing their children due to a desire for vengeance. These narratives often serve as cautionary tales, warning against the dangers of domestic discord and conflict.
The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, collected and published numerous fairy tales in the early 19th century, many of which popularized evil stepmothers in stories such as Snow White and Cinderella. In these tales, the stepmothers are depicted as cruel and vindictive, driven by a desire to eliminate their stepdaughters in order to secure their own positions of power and influence.
The evil stepmother trope has been popularized and perpetuated through various literary works over the centuries. From classic novels to modern literature, authors have continued to explore and reinvent the archetype of the malevolent stepmother. In more recent times, the evil stepmother trope has been portrayed in various other forms of media such as movies, television shows, and theater. Characters like Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones, and Regina Mills in Once Upon a Time have all become iconic examples of the evil stepmother figure, using their power and influence to manipulate and harm those around them. And it goes without saying that Disney has popularized the trope in their depictions of classic fairy tales.
Overall, the evil stepmother has been passed down through centuries of storytelling. While the character varies in appearance and motivation, she also reflects broader themes of power, jealousy, and familial dynamics that have resonated with audiences across generations. The evil stepmother serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of unchecked ambition and malevolence, and she continues to be a compelling figure in literature and popular culture today.
This Evil in Pop Culture series is being written in collaboration with AI text and image generators. Thanks to ChatGPT, EditPad Essay Writer, Adobe Firefly, and other uncensored AI image generators for your assistance in completing this project a whole hell of a lot faster.
