Cinderella Fairy Tale
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Nov 24, 2024
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Cinderella: A Tale of Gender Equality
Adriana Mcrae
04/10/2023
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Introduction
Fairy tales have long served as a reflection of societal norms, values, and perceptions.
These tales often conveys messages about cultural, religious, gender, race, and class differences.
They usually sparks imagination and offer moral lessons. This is because children learn from the
mistakes of characters in these stories. This is very important since they help them with their
critical thinking skills. Therefore fairy tales also model behavior for many people and provide a
context in which they can evaluate their own emotions and decision making. In this paper, we
will analyze the classic fairy tale "Cinderella" and explore how it informs our understanding of
these aspects. We will then introduce a pivotal change in one of the characters' gender,
specifically Cinderella herself, and examine how this alteration affects the story, the characters,
and the message it conveys.
Analyzing Cinderella
The traditional version of Cinderella portrays a young woman oppressed by her
stepmother and stepsisters due to her social class and gender. Her voice is often subdued, her
mannerisms obedient, and her home life filled with hardships. The story conveys the message of
the disenfranchised being saved by external forces, typically represented by a prince.
Gender: Cinderella is traditionally depicted as a passive, meek female character,
reinforcing gender stereotypes prevalent in many historical societies, (Westland, 1993). Her
transformation into a princess through the help of a prince perpetuates the idea that a woman's
worth is often tied to her marital status.
Class: Cinderella's lowly status in her stepmother's home highlights class disparities. Her
transformation into a princess suggests that escaping poverty is only achievable through external
intervention, rather than individual empowerment or social change.
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Pivotal Change
In the revised version of Cinderella, there is introduction of the pivotal change of
Cinderella's gender. Cinderella is now a young man named Cedric. His voice is confident, his
mannerisms assertive, and his home life remains oppressive under his stepmother and stepsisters.
He still aspires to attend the royal ball, and his transformation into a prince remains the central
plot.
Effects of the Gender Change
Cedric's character challenges traditional gender roles, portraying a male character who
seeks his own agency and independence. His story becomes a narrative of personal
empowerment rather than relying on a prince to rescue him. The story also prompts a
reevaluation of societal expectations regarding men's roles and behavior, (Westland, 1993). It
highlights that men can also face oppression and aspire to better their lives.
It has impact on Other Characters as the stepmother and stepsisters may react differently
to Cedric, potentially showcasing a different dynamic in the household. The prince might
appreciate Cedric for his assertiveness rather than passivity. The revised story also emphasizes
the importance of personal agency and breaking free from oppressive environments. It
challenges traditional gender norms and suggests that both men and women can strive for their
dreams without relying on external saviors.
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Conclusion
Fairy tales like Cinderella have the power to reflect, reinforce, or challenge societal
norms and perceptions of cultural, religious, gender, race, and class differences. By changing the
pivotal characteristic of Cinderella's gender, we transformed the story into one that promotes
personal empowerment and challenges traditional gender roles. This alteration offers a different
perspective on inequality and demonstrates the potential of storytelling to reshape our
understanding of the world and its complexities. Fairy tales, when adapted to contemporary
values, can play a vital role in promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality in society.
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Reference
Westland, E. (1993). Cinderella in the classroom. Children's responses to gender roles in fairy‐
tales. Gender and Education, 5(3), 237-249.