Fairy godmother
Meaning
A benevolent, magical female figure who helps someone achieve their dreams or overcome difficulties, or by extension, any person or agency providing unexpected, vital assistance.
Origin
The archetype of the 'fairy godmother' finds its most famous expression in the 17th-century French literary fairy tales, particularly in Charles Perrault's "Cinderella" (Cendrillon) published in 1697. Perrault didn't invent the concept of magical benefactors, as such figures existed in various forms across European folklore, but he crystallized the image of a benevolent, elderly female figure with magical powers who intervenes to help a protagonist in dire straits. She typically appears when all hope is lost, bestowing gifts or transformations to enable the hero or heroine to achieve their destiny, thus making her the quintessential magical helper in the popular imagination.
Examples
- When Sarah felt completely lost, her mentor stepped in like a fairy godmother, helping her navigate the complexities of her new career.
- The unexpected inheritance acted as a financial fairy godmother, allowing the struggling family to finally achieve some stability.