Stereotypes Portrayed in Cinderella
Domestication of women
Within Cinderella, there are numerous stereotypes about women portrayed. Domestic work is showcased as a symbol of femininity. Cinderella is forced to complete all of the household chores in all versions of the tale. The domestication of women was quite expected, especially when Disney's version of Cinderella was originally released. The women in these films, including Cinderella, helped to reinforce these gender expectations and expressed the women's acceptance of their roles in life.
Damsel in distress
Cinderella appears to be quite passive about her degrading role in life. She has accepted her fait and believes there is nothing that she can do herself to alter it. Cinderella is the classic damsel in distress. Her life only improves after her 'knight in shining armour' saves her. Cinderella's rescue complex attempts to promote the thought that because she is a woman, she cannot truly affect her life and save herself. Instead of positively altering her life, she just sits back and waits for her prince charming to rescue her, as it appears all women should do.
Feminine beauty
Cinderella gains the attention of the Prince when she receives a magical make over. She is portrayed as extremely beautiful, especially in Disney's animation. Cinderella is illustrated with an extremely unrealistic body in this film; a body that physically, appears rarely achievable. The intense need to look beautiful is extremely evident in the Grimm Brother's version, as the stepsisters mutilate their feet in an attempt to fit into the 'perfect' shoe.
Male dominant society
As previously stated, Cinderella's life positively changes after her interaction with the Prince. The Prince is the one that saves her from her torturous life as a slave to her stepfamily. The Cinderella tales portray males as the dominant, strong figures. Emotions are never expressed by the Prince, instead he uses his dominance as a male to find Cinderella. These tales portray the stereotypical 'tough' and domineering male who cannot express emotions.
Evil stepfamily
In all versions of Cinderella, she is forced to do awful chores and is treated horribly by her step family. There are variations within the tales as the the fathers whereabouts, but the stepmothers mistreatment of Cinderella never alters.
This dysfunctional family life is represented in every versions of Cinderella; portraying the stereotypical evil stepfamily.
This dysfunctional family life is represented in every versions of Cinderella; portraying the stereotypical evil stepfamily.