Out of all the genres, we believe that the fantasy/fairy tale genre is the most influential in our society. Fairy tales have the greatest impact on the most easily influenced group, children. Fairy tales have both negative and positive impacts on children. Fairy tales advance children’s imagination, but they also subconsciously provides children with a false example of how society wants them to act.In fairytales, males are seen as the ones who do all the physical roles. They also bring home the money and are portrayed as dominant and aggressive. In the countless Disney princess movies males are the saviors and fighters. Elaborating on princesses, females are supposed to act as the nurturers, caregivers. and are left with the domestic duties such as cooking and cleaning. In our current society, the gender roles are subconsciously present.
|
Quote #1“What will you give me if I spin the straw for you this time? I have nothing to give.” -Rumpelstiltskin
This quote features dialogue from Rumpelstiltskin of the princess shows how he is using the princess for his good. This shows that women are being used and marginalized. This is common in many fairy tales since girls are seen as lower than man. Furthermore, it shows how women are seen physically and mentally. |
Quote #2“But just as he was going to fire at him, it occurred to him that the wolf might have devoured the grandmother, and that she might still be saved, so he did not fire, but took a pair of scissors, and began to cut open the stomach of the sleeping wolf.”
This quote shows that no matter how old a girl or a woman is, they can't overcome hardship so that the help of a man. It shows how weak women are and also shows how I'm in need to depend on men all the time. It also shows how ignorant women are because they can't recognize their own family’s face. |
Quote #3“She is nothing but a kitchen maid!”
This quote from Cinderella shows that the characters see her capable of only housework. Women are given a false image of their abilities. Having this as a part of a children’s fairytale will subconsciously teach kids about these false gender roles. |