The Evolution of Gender Roles in Cinderella and Its Adaptations

Fairy tales, such as Cinderella, have been passed down for generations by various cultures. These tales have been subjected to adaptations and reimaginings to suit different audiences and reflect changing values. Historically, gender roles in fairy tales were rigidly defined, with males presented as dominant and females as submissive. However, in recent times, there has been a shift in the way gender roles are depicted in films and fairy tales. This essay examines the evolution of gender roles in Cinderella and its adaptations.

The original Cinderella tale

The original Cinderella tale first appeared in 1697 in Charles Perrault's Tales of Mother Goose. The protagonist, Cinderella, is presented as the archetypical damsel in distress, subjected to the unkindness of her stepmother and stepsisters, and saved from her miserable situation by the intervention of a wealthy prince. The prince's status is emphasized by the lavishness of the ball, which provides Cinderella with an opportunity to escape her oppressed domestic life. She is able to do so only because of the prince's charm and the value that society placed on male physical attractiveness, power, and wealth.

Disney's 1950 adaptation

In Disney's 1950 adaptation of Cinderella, the emphasis on physical beauty and wealth remains constant. Cinderella is still presented as a traditional damsel in distress, relying on her feminine charms and beauty to attract the attention of the prince. Her household jobs and financial poverty further reinforce the notion that her gender role required her to be subservient to men. However, this adaptation introduced a more assertive portrayal of Cinderella, who sings “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” expressing her optimism, spirit, and determination to overcome her situation. Despite these efforts, her transformation into a passive love interest and domestic goddess cements her gender role in society, by emphasizing her attractiveness, domestic skills, and lack of independent agency.

2015 adaptation

In contrast, the 2015 adaptation of Cinderella directed by Kenneth Branagh is a feminist interpretation of the tale. This adaptation replaces the emphasis on physical beauty and Cinderella’s reliance on her beauty to win the prince’s heart. Instead, the film focuses on Cinderella’s intelligence, wit, and independent agency in overcoming her abuse and marginalization. For instance, when she is asked to leave the ball at midnight, she refuses to be rushed out of the palace but instead leaves the ball graciously, in control of the situation. She also refuses to be intimidated by her stepmother and emits a sense of self-reliance, strength, and self-reliance as she takes care of small animals in her home. This interpretation of the story empowers women by shifting the emphasis from physical beauty, subservience and lack of agency to self-reliance, intelligence, and empowerment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the evolution of gender roles in Cinderella and its adaptations reflect changes in society’s values and various interpretations of gender roles over time. The original story established strict gender roles and depicted women as passive victims waiting to be rescued by men. Disney’s 1950 adaptation reaffirmed the importance of physical beauty and the traditional gender roles of women. However, the 2015 adaptation of Cinderella challenged the traditional norms, empowering women and breaking the chains of conventional gender roles to allow women to be strong, independent, and self-reliant. These film adaptations demonstrate the fluctuations of gender roles and the potential for fairy tales to offer varied morals and shift society’s perspective.