Feminist Analysis of Cinderella Essay Example

Cinderella, the most well-known Disney film, is based on a story penned in 1697 by a French playwright named Charles Perrault. It's the story of a young woman who had been abused and slaved for a long time by her stepmother and stepsisters, but who had all of her dreams come true when the fairy godmother waved her wand and was joyfully married to the prince. It is without a doubt the most wonderful fairy tale ever written. As most fairy tales do, this story substantiates the issue and emphasizes that they must also meet men's and society's ideals of beauty.

From a feminist approach, Cinderella's story conveyed the assumption that women are always in need. As a result of this need, undesirable qualities emerge. Her need for security and fortune turned her wicked, just like the stepmother in the fable. It is insulting to women because it portrays them as weak. Later in the story, Cinderella was able to atone for her actions by confronting her stepmother and risking being discovered during the ball. It also highlights that males have the upper hand since they can easily choose whatever they marry and that the judgments of a nation or a home are in their hands. The role of the stepmother provided a glimpse of how unstable a household maybe when a woman is the head of the household during the story. When Cinderella's father died, the family's wealth and security were threatened. There was also the belief that a woman's place in society must be kept or that she must get married to be respected in society. Because the story was written in an era when women were not completely recognized in society, it demonstrates that there was a gender bias at the time, which has progressively evolved in comparison to today. Men, on the other hand, receive little attention and play a minor role in the story, except for the prince and Cinderella's father. Even though men are only given two key roles in the novel, their presence has a significant impact on the plot. The actions and decisions of the other characters in the novel have been influenced by these men's personalities. The lives of the other characters have been altered as a result of them. Cinderella's part in the story where she loses track of time exemplifies how emotionally vulnerable women can be and how they lose control of their behavior. Cinderella grew disoriented as she became engaged in the prince and the wonders of the occasion, and she even went away without her shoe. When it comes to emotional problems, this tragedy has given the perception that we are indeed weak. There was also a focus on women's social status, with Cinderella being an orphan and her stepmother being the head of the household.

The Cinderella story strikes a balance amongst the various female roles. As demonstrated in the roles of the stepmother and Cinderella, there was also the oppression of women by other women. Although the oppression of women by males was not heavily stressed, it was nevertheless felt that women were expected to be followers of men. Men in society play a significant role in the lives of women, it was also highlighted. The Prince, Cinderella's father, exemplified this. On the other side, there are women in society who may appear invisible and unimpressive at times, but who have a significant impact on the lives of others. Without them, the stepmother, like Cinderella's stepsisters, could not have loved Cinderella as much as she did or might not have married Cinderella's father at all. In this story, Cinderella is indeed a captivating story for both children and adults who are still children at heart. However, it is more than just a story about a woman whose dreams came true; it is also a story about the underlying concepts and mistreatment of women. Moreover, Cinderella's story is undeniable in its ability to inspire women to be bold while being humble and to be strong in the face of adversity.

Cinderella exemplifies feminism with her strength and charity. The problem is that feminine features are usually regarded as "non-feminist," therefore a woman with these characteristics cannot be considered a strong or outstanding role model. Cinderella defies this stereotype by embodying both femininity and feminist ideals. Cinderella is mocked for refusing to leave her circumstances, yet many women in violent situations and marriages find it difficult to escape. It is not the victim's fault that he or she is in this circumstance. While the Cinderella story isn't meant to justify abuse, it does demonstrate the power of choosing happiness in the face of adversity. Cinderella continues to sing, smile, and dream despite years of emotional and physical torment. Cinderella is both emotionally and physically powerful, having survived a violent home for so long.