How do you think women are depicted in fairy tales?

Answer 1

They usually need men or magic to overcome challenges. That's why they are fairy tales - total fantasy.

Answer 2

The representation of women in fairy tales (of which there are an infinite number as well as versions) is a little more complicated than the ones garnered from the obvious tales like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty etc. Take, for example, The story about Mr Fox where the mass murdering Mr Fox's latest target ultimately, because of her own sense of cunning and good thinking, deals him his just desserts. There are an awful lot of fairy tales that deal with smart women who have to think fast or plan hard to escape from the machinations of men and the idiosyncratic thinking of their elders. Try reading Angela Carter's Book of Fairy Tales for a wider selection of stories.

Answer 3

It depends on the fairy tale but pretty much not very well since they all are waiting for a prince to rescure them. It should be more about how women/girls can conquer their own fears and they don't have to rely on someone, anyone else to fix their problems. But some fairy tales were actually meant to scare little girls, which worked I guess, but now kids aren't used to anything being scary and everything has to be toned down with fairies and stuff.

Answer 4

It would be easy to write pages and pages in reply to this question, but no one would read my answer so I'll keep it short. In brief, there are three phases to a females life and men are mystified by all of them. They are: virgin, mother, crone. As you know, fairy tales often center around the beautiful young girl. At this point in her life, she is all about innocence and possibility. "Mother" is simple, yet such a complex mix of the physical (birth) and emotional. In fairy tales, it is the anti-mother characters that one remembers. Women of childbearing age without children of their own, like the evil stepmother in Snow White, are among the most vicious fairytale creations. The last group, "crones" is a mix of the good (wise old woman) and the bad (bitter old witch). How's that for a brief summary of fairytale women?

Answer 5

I have to say that at least we should appreciate that the women were generally the central focus of the stories... we could easily have been pushed aside and our importance diminished even further had the princes and the fathers been the sole focus.

One thing I want to point out while I am here is that in reading Lord of the Rings, there was hardly any room for a woman's role with all that fellowship and male bonding. And those books were written in modern times! The movie had to forcibly inject feminity in there just to provide some balance and romance!

So stop lamenting and just appreciate the stories for their whimsy, regardless of their reinforcement of the stereotypical role of women! Be thankful it has changed... or has it?

Answer 6

Many fairy tales originate from Europe and in Europe, women were taught to be silent and if they disobeyed, they're older brothers or father could beat them without getting in trouble.
In fairy tales, women are weak and depend on men.

Answer 7

In the Max Payne video game, Max uses an analogy about Snow White. Saying that in the fairy tale, she was waiting for her prince to kiss her to wake her up. But, he goes to say the tale got it wrong, that it was her kissing you to wake you up. It was one of those artistic expression. It was pretty cool.

In those days, women weren't as strong as they are now. The stories were supposed to protect them, of course it wasn't the best way.

Women today have much more choice. They also have the ability to learn to defend themselves better. So, really those old fairy tales are just for fun now.

Personally I like it when women are portrayed as strong and powerful. I'd prefer to think of women as me equals and not inferior.

Answer 8

it depends on what version you are reading. most fairy tales originally were told by women, and so are about women and girls facing situations that real women find themselves in, and get through these situations in a way that is tolerable in a patriarchal society. most of these early fairy tales are full of feminist values. i believe it was Jack Zipes that wrote a lot about feminism in fairy tales. unfortunately, most of the versions of these tales we are familiar with, those of the Brothers Grim and Charles Perrault, changed them and underplayed the feminist values.

Answer 9

From Lilith who was here before Eve, The book of Ruth that is in some bibles and not in others, to the blaspheming of Mary Magdelene and the labelling of her as whore instead of her rightful place at the table of understanding in Christianity...through the stripping of a woman's power in the Salem Witch Trials right up to the 'Fairy tales" of now...Do we really need to say how women have been depicted...

I am going to go against the grain here at yahoo answers.

below are four books with a decidedly different view from the damsel in distress...or lying on her back waiting for Prince Charming...or waiting in some bloody tower...in a room with a view...for her lord and savior to come and rescue her.
I do believe in the horror...that is the warning the traditional fairy tales bring women...I know them for the cautionary tales that they are...

but since that is not the topic at hand...and no one is asking for how these tales are actually warnings and what they actually reveal about the 'men' who come to their rescue...my what large teeth they have...oh sorry...
Since you asked this question I will answer... in my way...here...catch...


Fearless Girls, Wise Women
& Beloved Sisters: Heroines in
Folktales from Around the World ...by Kathleen Ragan

This book, Ragan says, is for her own daughter -- as much as it is for any young girl who has searched through volumes of folklore seeking female protaganists she can be proud of. That means no damsels in distress. No sleeping beauties. No haughty princesses more interested in the sheen of their hair in an ever-present hand mirror. No evil witches, harridans or crones. And, most especially, no wicked stepmothers.

It seemed at first to be a desperate search, but Ragan soon tapped into a rich vein of lore that lies beneath the surface of the more familiar, popular tales where females are more often prizes, props or villains. The stories are out there, but they aren't always easy to find.

Not One Damsel in Distress: World Folktales for Strong Girls (Hardcover)
by Jane Yolen, Susan Guevara (Illustrator)

The title says it all: this is a spirited collection with a lively pace. Yolen's introduction, written as an open letter to her daughter and granddaughters, and her notes and bibliography frame the collection well. Like a bezel that holds a gem, her beginning and ending pieces remind us that girls know how to be heroes (but that boys need to know it, too) and that every time and culture has stories of female heroes that need to be heard again and again.

Goddesses: A World of Myth and Magic (Hardcover)
by Burleigh Muten, Rebecca Guay (Illustrator)

More than 100 goddesses are featured in the alphabetically arranged entries; each deity is allotted a paragraph that briefly explains her attributes or outlines a legend associated with her. This book serves more as an elaborate bibliography..a jumping off point for more research...many are the goddess...too little time devoted to each. Still... a treasure trove.

Grandmothers' Stories: Wise Woman Tales from Many Cultures (Hardcover)
by Burleigh Muten, Sian Bailey (Illustrator)

Both the familiar and the unusual grace this collection of stories honoring wise older women. The listener will nod with remembrance as one old woman's fine rice cakes bring her a red magic paddle and as another's job switch with her husb-and brings startling realizations to the latter. Ears will perk up for the arrival of a genie at the midwife's abode or the water spirits at the end of a laborer's long day. Through each tale kindness, cleverness, and wisdom shine.


enjoy

Answer 10

This is very interesting.

I don't know many fairy tales, but it does seem that they rely on men to accomplish their goals. Weak, innocent (or the opposite), and pretty dumb. Hrm. Don't know if I like that much.

So many stereotypes in our culture. I don't think we'll ever get away from them. People need to realize that everyone is different, and your personality really does not depend on your physical qualities.