The Escalator of Gender Norms
Fairy tales often portray women and girls in a certain way. These portrayals are often a reflection of the times during which, each gender was expected to follow the social construct in place. Fairy tale authors often used their way with words to teach these gender roles and what the expectations were. Who reads these fairy tales to promote such guidance? Mostly parents to their children. These teachings, if done at a young age, will increase the normality of it and eliminate the possibility of rebelling against these ideas.
“Snow White” is a perfect example of what proper female behavior should look like according to the Grimm brothers. The character, Snow White, and her wicked stepmother are portrayed as rivals. The stepmother’s magical mirror explains “My queen, you are the fairest one here, But Snow White is a thousand times more fair than you!” The queen tried to banish her to the forest but there, Snow White met the seven dwarfs astonished by her beauty. When the mirror repeated the same phase, the queen went to great lengths to end Snow White’s life. The worth of the two women is measured by the beauty they hold and in turn creating a competition based on looks between them. Snow White ultimately is victorious using both innocence and beauty to achieve the happy ending. The lesson then teaches girls what’s considered most important; innocence and beauty of course. The classic fairy tale casually influences children of the time period to stick to gender roles and all will be well.
In the Disney adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast” Belle, the main character, seems to be showcasing a different set of gender roles than Snow White. The beast we know in the story is placed under a spell turning him into..the beast. Belle’s father is captured by the beast and she comes to take his place. Once she’s acquainted with the beast, she softens his cold heart and a happy ending evolves. Belle in this version of Beauty and the Beast is self-sufficient and plays a role in her own destiny. She doesn’t settle for Gaston, the considered hero prince, but instead stands up to the beast, and ultimately saves him. The show Belle puts on teaches the impressionable audience that women can be brave, fearless, and most of all more than their features. These ideas align with what we know today to be our “social constructs.” We have evolved over time in our idealistic views of what women can do instead of what they are expected to be.
Non fairy tale related, we see these gender roles expressed in more areas. The Hunger Games is a good movie to look at when it comes to our evolving idea of what part women play in today’s ideals. Katniss Everdeen is the star of the entire movie series. The Capital of Panem is led by an evil leader who enforced the playing of the hunger games. One boy and one girl are chosen to play the game where only one survives. Throughout the series, she becomes a fierce female leader who does everything in her power to save those close to her. The character of Katniss showcases the new “norms” we have as a society on what women can do. They can be leaders. They can be strong and powerful. They can hunt and fish. These new norms are drastically different from the beliefs many had during the creation of old fairy tales like Snow White.
Gender roles are constantly evolving. Before, women and girls were taught through these very stories how to be a certain way and really thing that has changed from then to now is that people care less about those expectations. Those expectations aren’t showcased but instead challenged.
References:
The Classic Fairy Tales by Maria Tatar
