Investigating The Roots Of Womens Violence? Essay - 1,632 words

Investigating the Roots of Womens Violence? Fairy Tales we all grew up listening to them. Children of many generations and cultures all over the world are still growing up dealing with different variations of the same fairy tales and similar stories. . Scholars debate the reasons for such striking similarities between stories in such a variety of cultures and try to ascertain the possible meanings behind these seemingly simple children's tales. Using "Cinderella" as an example, this chapter explores variations of a tale and the diverse ways of examining them. The place of action, time and appearance of the characters may change and variegate considerably; the plot in itself remains almost untouched.


the First, in "Universality of the Folktale," Stith Thompson raises the broad questions and the underlying assumptions that govern the folklorist's study of tales. He claims that folktales should be objects of study as well as entertainment. Although there are many variations of the "Cinderella" theme, there are many common bonds that tie the variants together. Every other author who tried himself in this fairy tale was gaining his own purpose focusing his attention to some separate sides and concentrating on concrete details he was interested himself. Cinderella is one of the most popular motifs in folktales from all over the world. As well there many variations of the theme and with regard to mentioned above there many common bonds that tie the variants together.


There exist at least nine variants of this tale motif. Cinderella by Charles Perrault (1697) is one of the best known, perhaps as a result of having been screened by the Disney. The Grimm Brothers' version "Ashputtle, " (1812) , Tanith Lee's "When the Clock Strikes," combines the "Cinderella", chronologically after there comes "A Chinese 'Cinderella,'" by Tuan Ch'Eng-Shih. "The Maiden, the Frog, and the Chief's Son (An African 'Cinderella')" is an African version of the tale of 1965. The Native American version of "Cinderella," "OochigeaskwThe Rough-Faced Girl" ,"Walt Disney's 'Cinderella,'" adapted by Campbell Grant, is the Little Golden Book adaptation of the Disney film." After the variants, in "'Cinderella': A Story of Sibling Rivalry and Oedipal Conflicts," Freudian psychologist Bruno Bettelheim analyzes "Cinderella's" hidden meanings and asserts that the tale appeals to children because it focuses on the sibling rivalry many children feel at a young age. A Jungian analyst, Jacqueline Schectman, examines the tale to find a sympathetic Stepmother in "'Cinderella' and the Loss of Father-Love." The chapter concludes with "Cinderella's Stepsisters" by Toni Morrison, which focuses on the evil women inflict on each other and appeals to women not to treat each other with enmity but to nurture each otherthe problem aroused in most of contemporary variants of Cinderella stand for the attempt to find the ways the fairy tales, heard while young, can have a lasting influence on attitude later in life.


Time passing but the leitmotif of poor girl-victim is still played up but the values of the world society have changed to a certain degree, social roles of a woman have also been revaluated. And they lived happily ever after! This is the classic ending to the majority of fairy tales that we used to hear being children. Although much of the influence we get from fairy tales is quite innocent, there are some stereotypes invisibly embroidered in to the plot of fairy tales. The most striking thing is there has been a tradition of portraying women in a negative fashion. The Grimm Brothers' version of Cinderella exemplifies some of these portrayals including the stereotypical role of the evil stepmother, the role of the wicked witch and the role of passive female heroines. Rare amongst fairy tales also demonstrates the active role of female heroines, but only under restricted conditions. These stereotypes are seen throughout the story created by Toni Morrisonmust admit the whole theme was reappraised by the author and availed of her days reality.


She focuses her attention not on the traditionally tales fake heroes those of stepmother and her influence on her generic children, she applies for so called consequences - next generation and portrays in such a way the heritage of social processes in women relationships. I want not to ask: you but to tell you not to participate in the oppression of your sisters. Mothers who abuse their children are women, and another woman, not an agency, has to be willing to stay their hands. Mothers who set fire to school buses are women, and another woman, not an agency, has to tell them to stay their hands. Women who stop the promotion of other women in careers are women, and another woman must come to the victim's aid. Social and welfare workers who humiliate their clients may be women, and other women colleagues have to deflect their anger..(1) Her statements rings more like indignation concerning the womens reevaluation of her s ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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Essay Tags: fairy tale, tale, cinderella, fairy, black women

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