Week 13 Essay

Women's Roles in European Fairy Tales

This week I chose to read the Librivox Grimm's Fairy Tales unit, and for this essay will focus on the stories of Rapunzel and Briar Rose (aka Sleeping Beauty). These are two stories that most people in America are likely familiar with because Disney has made movie versions that have been insanely popular. 

Walt Disney's Sleeping Beauty (1959)

found on 50sMovie

Disney's Tangled (2011)

found on Amazon

The original versions (the Grimm's versions) of these stories are not exactly the same as in the movies, however, they do subscribe to the same general roles of women that many in today's society still agree with. Women are portrayed as generally helpless and in need of saving, usually by a handsome prince (though the 2011 Disney version of Rapunzel portrays her as a more confident, capable, modern young woman). In the time of these stories' creations, women were subservient, submissive, and seen as being less than men. That idea of women's roles and abilities was then taken into the "New World" when Britain colonized North America. Women were once again placed into a role of doing housework, obeying their husbands, and being reliant on their husband to take care of business. They did not usually fend for themselves, and for the longest time were not allowed to have jobs, vote, or participate in government. Even today, women are not truly equal to men and are subject to objectification and treatment as the lesser sex. 

Sleeping Beauty

by VPdessin, found on DeviantArt

This week's stories kept with the theme of women as dependent on men. In Rapunzel, she does not take it upon herself to find a way out of her brick and mortar prison. She does not stand up for herself or try to escape on her own. When she finally meets a man and decides she's ready to leave, she still relies on him to save her. She does not fight back against Dame Gothel, she just waits for her prince to come. As for Briar Rose, she was a young girl (only 15) and was not told of her impending doom by her parents. Instead of educating her so that she may protect herself, her parents (mostly her father, the king) just burned the kingdom's spinning wheels. Then, on the day she is destined to fall into her 100 year sleep, they leave her alone! 

Rapunzel

by Alicex2, found on DeviantArt

These stories also portray villains as women. Many old stories portray women as inherently evil to justify their treatment of women (who are also sometimes worshiped as goddesses, but still seen as having incredible tempers) as second-class citizens. In both of these stories, there is an evil witch who brings doom upon the young, beautiful maiden and her family. Still, I enjoy these stories, and understand their portrayal of women because of the time when they were written. As for today's society and women's portrayal in media/writing/etc. there really is no excuse. I'm just saying. 

Women's Rights

by Malala Yousafzai, found on the Sojo Blog