Heroes And Heroines Essay - 1015 Words

Heroes and Heroines: A study of Gender Roles in Historical Folklore Historically, fairy tales and other folklore have followed relatively strict gender role profiles. The heroes or heroines of the story all tend to be handsome or beautiful, compassionate and kind, which always wins out. Meanwhile the villains and antagonists are almost directly opposite in physicality, are ugly or brooding in nature, which shows a clear contrast between themselves and the hero or heroine, and an ever-impending conclusive loss at the end of the narrative. In the examination of folklore, one can see that common aspects of gender roles can be found in almost every fairy tale ever created. The Brothers Grimm are well known for their collection of fairy tales†¦show more content†¦Rumplestiltskin also shows clear contrast in gender roles, with similar gender stereotypes as the fable of Rapunzel. In this particular story the Millers Daughter could be considered the Heroine, in which she becomes the Queen and works against Rumplestiltskin to save her child. However, even though the Queen plays an influential role in the story and ultimately outsmarts Rumplestiltskin, she still falls into the gender stereotype of a helpless female in need of saving. When her father brings her before the King and proclaims she can spin gold from straw, she is essentially helpless and awaiting the death sentence that failure would bring. Rumplstiltskin plays a unique role in the story however, playing both savior (at least temporarily) and ultimately the villain. As per the gender standard in the story Rumplestiltskin sweeps in and saves the Millers Daughter by helping her spin the straw to gold and keeps her from death. Rumplestiltskin transforms into the villain when he tries to take the Queens child, loses his bet, and destroys himself in frustration. The story of The Old Woman in the Wood reverses the established gender roles and is relatively unique in that the helpless character in the part icular story is one the reader wouldnt necessarily expect. The poor servant girl plays the role of the Heroine in this story, where she becomesShow MoreRelatedHeroes And Heroines Of The War5095 Words   |  21 PagesAUTHORSHIP This specific document titled â€Å"Heroes and Heroines of the War† was created by Thomas Nast in 1864. Thomas Nast was born on September 27, 1840 in Germany, but six years later his family moved to New York to start a fresh life. Even from a young age, Nast was an avid drawer who later in life would make his greatest ambition into an occupation. He began his career as a political cartoon artist for the Leslie’s Illustrated in 1855 and then in 1859 continued his passion of illustrating at Harper’sRead MoreEvery Good Story Requires Its Villains, Heroes and Heroines. the Study of Management Is No Different and a Perusal of Organisational Textbooks, More Often Than Not, Depicts F. W. Taylor’s Scientific Management Theory as3220 Words   |  13 Pages Submission Deadline: Monday 19th March 2012 (Week 7) Assignment Title: Every good story requires its villains, heroes and heroines. The study of management is no different and a perusal of Organisational Textbooks, more often than not, depicts F. W. Taylor’s Scientific Management theory as the villain of the story and the Human Relations Movement as the hero or heroine. 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