PRINCESS OR A WARRIOR?

By: Lily Deng

THESIS

In the original 18th century stories of Cinderella, Snow White and Rapunzel published by the Grimm Brothers, the princesses were portrayed as weak and helpless individuals while in the 21st century adaptations Ella Enchanted, Snow White and the Huntsmen and Tangled represented ambitious and independent women that seek to have a better life without a prince rescuing them from their misery.

TR ADIT ION AL GENDER ROL ES O F WO MEN

Job was to maintain the house and take care of children

Purpose was to give birth and make babies

Property of men and was not allowed to own their own properties

Known as domestic and emotional

Unable to do hard labor

Was the weaker sex

PR ES ENT DAY GEN DER RO L ES OF WO MEN

Allowed to own property

No longer a possession of men

Right to vote

Allowed to have the same jobs as men

CINDERELLA

Grimm’s version of Cinderella was published in 1812

Had a miserable life, working as a slave for her stepmother and stepsisters.

Did not stand up for herself

Took care of household duties

In the end saved by a prince in order to have a better and wealthier life

ELLA ENCHANTED

Movie released in 2004

Adaptation of Cinderella

Ella was cursed with a spell ever since she was born to be obedient to whatever she was told to do. Her stepsisters and stepmother makes her does house chores and she can’t refuse.

Ella wanted to go change her future and went to find the witch that casted the spell on her

Throughout her journey, she fights ogres etc

Very ambitious and brave and isnt afraid to speak her mind

SNOW WHITE

Her duties were to maintain the house while the seven little dwarfs went to work and mine

Innocent and young – ate a poisonous apple and died

Needed a prince to save her life by giving her a kiss

“Lived happily ever after”

SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMEN

Extremely independent because she was living on her own

Fighting back the evil queen and was not afraid

Goes into battle wearing armor along side with the men