For example, after the Prince discovers Cinderella, “He [thought] her more beautiful than ever, and a few days later he married her” (602). The Prince barely knows Cinderella, therefore, he cannot be in love with her. His abrupt marriage to Cinderella shows that the Prince is only attracted to Cinderella’s beauty and charm. In addition, Oochigeaskw is described as “…[a] poor little girl in her strange clothes, with her face all scarred, was an awful sight…” (627). The Invisible One did not marry Oochigeaskw for her attractiveness, but because she had the ability to see past someone’s exterior and look at their hearts.
The Change of Sexism in Disney Movies Disney has created many incredibly beautiful films over the years from Snow White in 1937 to The Little Mermaid in 1989 to Mulan 1998 all the way to Frozen in 2013. All these wonderfully made movies that have given many girls of all age’s dreams, aspirations and determination. But there was always something twisted in the Disney movies made back then compared to now. The main character women were portrayed as a weak, damsels in distress, always needed saving and were never were heroes. In the beginning of romantic Disney films the “Snow White and the seven Dwarfs movie was about a beautiful princess dreaming of one day marrying a prince.
The first released animated Disney princess film was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Snow white says to her mirror “mirror mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” When the mirror replies and says nothing less than “of course, you Snow White”, she finds instant pleasure and demands to hear it again. This right off the bat in teaching young people that in order to succeed you must be “the fairest” or the greatest of everyone. Dr. Hardstein theorizes that traditional stories like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella to promote the idea that if a girl is pretty enough and has fancy clothes and shoes; she will find love and popularity (Wellman). Also every time you see a female character her features are enhanced and “improved” to make her prettier.
In “Princess Paradox”, Poniewozik distinguishes that there is a different kind of “Cinderella” in today’s world compared to pre 21st century Cinderella. Poniewozik points out that the new characteristics of today’s Cinderella are being: self-determined, independent, not wanting a Prince Charming, and at the same time to be the one that saves Prince Charming. These characteristics are much more different compared to pre 21st century where Cinderella finds true love with a Prince Charming, and is completely dependent on him. The reason why Poniewozik thinks that this new trend of Cinderella isn’t bad for young girls is because those little girls who fantasize about being a princess one day see these new traits and try to imitate them. They see that these new princesses aren’t dependent on anyone, and have also learned lessons of feminism.
The representation of the Queen’s purity represents her pure goodness and how tragically her kingdom was ripped from her. Tim Burton takes advantage of this lighting to show that although the White Queen is undeniably righteous and graceful, her happy ending did not remain for long after Alice had left as a child. In addition, in Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton uses low key lighting to emphasize the innocence of a character. As soon as Alice arrives in Wonderland, conflict occurs. Citizens of Wonderland begin to argue and bicker about the “real Alice.” Alice soon insists that she is not the “correct Alice,” due to her not wanting to slay a dragon.
You should have tried being around twenty years ago, before me and some other good Asians marched with your white people for your rights.” The irony is seen here as Bao Phi uses statements made by the white people to justify how their views are not racist since society has moved away from that. Another example is the illustration of the musical “Miss Saigon” in which he reverts the roles of the Asian women and replaces it with a white woman. This is powerful because “Miss Saigon” upholds views of Asian women as a sexual symbol and dependency towards men. Therefore, he stresses the backward views society has towards Asian women by the using the plot of this particular musical. Therefore, Bao Phi uses old experiences that the Asian American people have gone through to illustrate the views society has towards
Perrault’s fairy tale follows the generic conventions of a traditional fairy tale which is what Atwood had been condemning. The tale begins with the sentence, “there were formerly a king and a queen, who were sorry they had no children”, which is the normally the beginning of most fairy tales (Perrault 398). The most notable characteristic of a fairy tale begins with the phrase “once upon a time” or a variation of it such as Perrault’s “there were” (398). Unlike Atwood, Perrault mentions that the princess was “the most beautiful person in the world” (399), focusing on more of a materialistic aspect of the princess instead of Atwood’s more realistic view of her. Perrault’s fairy tale includes other generic conventions like a handsome prince saving the day and marrying the princess, a happy ending, and an evil queen.
For instance, the author says that Cinderella still looks really beautiful even if she wears ragged, sooty clothing in the beginning of the story. Although, she was mainly perceived as a helpless person because her fairy godmother was surprised that she couldn’t figure out anything for herself. On the other hand, the author describes Cinder Edna as an unattractive person in her looks, yet she has a strong, spunky personality and a sense of humor which makes her more admirable. Therefore, I believe the author contradicts their appearances and personalities to show that having a bright outlook and a strong, positive mindset is more valuable than having wealth and a beautiful appearance. Lastly, we also have to consider the fact that times have drastically changed since the original story of Cinderella was first published.
She did not know the spells or the magic, so gave Joan all she had of care and courtesy and hard work.” (Pg. 59, 3rd paragraph) Also, she doesn’t give up and overcome obstacles. Even though Alyce runs away because she failed to help Emma Blunt give birth, she regains her confidence when the rich merchant’s wife was laboring at the inn. In the book, it states, “Alyce backed out of the cottage, then turned and ran up the path to the road, she didn’t know why or where. Behind her in that cottage was disappointment and failure.
Constant chores, bickering, and rude gestures are all Cinderella knows since both her parents passed away. Thus, leaving her behind with a step-mother and two sisters, who are wicked as can be and out to destroy Cinderella. However, despite the wicked family Cinderella willingly does what she is told, although, it makes her depressed. In the movie, she was going to hide her identity from the prince, so that her mother would be pleased even though that meant Cinderella had to be unhappy the rest of her life watching the prince love someone else. Although, this did not happen Cinderella would have given up the life she deserved even for the people who have treated her so