Fairy Tales: Puss in Boots, the Best "Jack" of Them All

Puss in Boots is an older tale that Perrault retold--his version is the best known version. 

To a modern audience, the question that lurks behind Puss in Boots is...

Why doesn't Puss inherit the castle? 

In many ways, Perrault's version is very much a product of its time and place. Puss does all the work, but he IS the youngest son's servant. And the youngest son doesn't have to do much except look handsome and marry well. In fact, he has no name at all until Puss bestows it on him, naming him the Marquis of Carabas. 

Mr. Philip Pullman's version--illustrations by Mr. Ian Beck--gives the youngest son, named Jacques, plus Puss and the Princess things to do. They work together to vanquish the ogre. 

Vaes: Ogre's Death

Pullman's version is a worthy tale, but I like more between-the-lines readings. 

If Puss doesn't inherit the castle, what is Puss in the adventure for? 

The retold version by Lincoln Kirstein, illustrator Alain Vaes, gives Puss power at the end when he becomes prime minister.

However, I think that Fred Marcellino's gorgeous picture book answers the question best. Interestingly enough, Marcellino's version uses the extant Perrault text: Puss becomes a lord and he "never again ran after mice, except for entertainment." The illustrations enhance the text without overriding or editing it. 

The answer: 

Puss just wanted a nice place to sleep. Why else would a cat go to all that work?