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Many fairy tales inscribe, rather than challenge, gendered binary oppositions, associating females with such attributes as passivity and males with activity. Although society today has a tendency to try and oppose these patriarchal views by encouraging female independence and activity, our culture still permits these views. As Karen Rowe states, “[s]ubconsciously women may transfer from fairy tales into real life cultural norms which exalt passivity, dependency and self sacrifice as a females’ cardinal virtues.” These fairy tales have an enormous impact on our culture by serving to acculturate women to traditional social roles of domesticity and motherhood.
“Cinderella” of Hallett and Karasek’s Folk and Fairy Tales is a popular fairy tale depicting unrealistic marvels that are countlessly retold through many generations. The character descriptions within "Cinderella" serve as a demonstration of the extreme contrast between Cinderella, her sisters and the Prince. ... The Prince was described as diligent and eager, for when the beautiful young woman had left her slipper he made orders that every girl within the kingdom try on the slipper in order to determine it’s owner. ... It is evident that the contrast between the main characters throughout this popular fairy tale emphasizes Cinderella’s passive, modest and nonresistant nature, a model for readers of all ages.
“Snow White” also of Folk and Fairy Tales, is another tale with character descriptions that show the passive character demonstrated by the female heroine. ... The gender opposition is once again obvious in this tale through differing character descriptions and use of independent decision making.
Approximate Word count = 1219
Approximate Pages = 4.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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