The Queen’s Bargaining Power

Rumplestiltskin

This flow shows how the queen’s negotiating position changes as objects, wealth, time, and finally knowledge prove unequal forms of leverage.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Necklace for Labor A Necklace for Labor from "Rumplestiltskin". A Necklace for Labor A first exchange The queen offers her necklace to Rumpelstiltskin in return for completing the first heap.

A Necklace for Labor from "Rumplestiltskin". A Necklace for Labor A first exchange The queen offers her necklace to Rumpelstiltskin in return for completing the first heap.

A Necklace for Labor A first exchange The queen offers her necklace to Rumpelstiltskin in return for completing the first heap. She negotiates from inside a locked room under threat. Limited leverage The necklace persuades him to work, but it does not change The King’s demands or free her from the chamber. Her bargaining power is narrowly confined to the immediate task.

A Ring for Another Night A Ring for Another Night from "Rumplestiltskin". A Ring for Another Night The same terms repeated Facing another task, the queen gives Rumpelstiltskin her ring.

A Ring for Another Night from "Rumplestiltskin". A Ring for Another Night The same terms repeated Facing another task, the queen gives Rumpelstiltskin her ring.

A Ring for Another Night The same terms repeated Facing another task, the queen gives Rumpelstiltskin her ring. The exchange follows the same structure as the first rescue. Assets diminish She obtains another night’s survival but has fewer objects to offer. The repeated bargain reduces the resources available to improve her position.

A Future Offered A Future Offered from "Rumplestiltskin". A Future Offered Nothing left to pay The queen tells Rumpelstiltskin she has nothing left. He asks for her first child instead of a possession.

A Future Offered from "Rumplestiltskin". A Future Offered Nothing left to pay The queen tells Rumpelstiltskin she has nothing left. He asks for her first child instead of a possession.

A Future Offered Nothing left to pay The queen tells Rumpelstiltskin she has nothing left. He asks for her first child instead of a possession. A grave compromise She agrees under pressure, exchanging a possible future relationship for immediate relief. The bargain gives her no genuine bargaining advantage, only a way through the present crisis.

Wealth Cannot Buy Release Wealth Cannot Buy Release from "Rumplestiltskin". Wealth Cannot Buy Release A vast offer The queen offers all the wealth of the kingdom to keep her child. The offer exceeds the earlier payments in scale.

Wealth Cannot Buy Release from "Rumplestiltskin". Wealth Cannot Buy Release A vast offer The queen offers all the wealth of the kingdom to keep her child. The offer exceeds the earlier payments in scale.

Wealth Cannot Buy Release A vast offer The queen offers all the wealth of the kingdom to keep her child. The offer exceeds the earlier payments in scale. The limits of money Rumpelstiltskin refuses at first, showing that the conflict cannot be settled simply by increasing the price. His reprieve instead sets a knowledge test.

Knowledge as Leverage Knowledge as Leverage from "Rumplestiltskin". Knowledge as Leverage A different resource The messenger’s report gives the queen Rumpelstiltskin’s name.

Knowledge as Leverage from "Rumplestiltskin". Knowledge as Leverage A different resource The messenger’s report gives the queen Rumpelstiltskin’s name.

Knowledge as Leverage A different resource The messenger’s report gives the queen Rumpelstiltskin’s name. Unlike the necklace, ring, or royal wealth, the information is something she can use without surrendering it. Terms turned around She speaks the name when the dwarf asks, and his claim collapses. The final leverage comes from knowing the person who had controlled every earlier exchange.

Late on the first night

The second night

The third night

After Rumpelstiltskin claims the child

The third day of the naming challenge