Archive | 2019
Empowered Fairy-Tale Heroines Reinvent Happily-Ever-After
Abstract
Traditional folk and fairy tales have been a barometer defining social values, behavioral norms, gender roles, and preconceived constructs of happiness. Through fairy tales, young children learn about their social and cultural heritage and build cultural capital (Smith 426). The fairy-tale discourse was also intended to socialize children by modeling gender-specific identities and behaviors (Haase, Critical Approaches 24). Walt Disney’s recreation of the sanitized fairy tale indoctrinated children early with blooming flowers, anthropomorphized wildlife and dainty female lead characters. A virtuous girl’s happy-ending is provided externally: either a handsome prince or a generous fairy rewards beauty and obedience above all. This chapter illustrates two contemporary examples of female fairy-tale characters rebooting their storyline, battling individual villains, rescuing themselves, and forging their own path towards liberation and happiness. The media analysis and discussion reflect a growth of gender equality in Western society, a re-examination of traditional beauty standards, and the ongoing emancipation of the fairy-tale heroine.