Stereotypes In Fairy Tales

Beginning from the early 1970s, literary critics have debated the question of whether and how fairy tales influence children’s understanding of gender. Generally, in these tales, women are depicted as naive and dependent on men; conversely, men are portrayed as strong and independent. In result, as Carrie Hintz & Eric L. Tribunella writes in Reading Children’s Literature (RCL), “. . . feminist critics who feel that the tales reinforce gender stereotypes such as female passivity and an emphasis on stereotyped forms of female beauty” (141). Further, these feminist critics argue that the manner in which women are portrayed in fairy tales further influences gender stereotypes. To further analyze these claims, we will compare three fairy tales, “Cinderella”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, and “The Brave Little Tailor” from The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang and how they influence both gender roles. For example, “Cinderella” depicts a young girl who is treated poorly by her older

According to Lang, Little Red Riding Hood is portrayed as “. . . the prettiest creature was ever seen” (51). Further, she is portrayed as a naive and trusting girl, depicted by her conversation with the ill-intended wolf. Therefore, in short, the author infers that Little Red Riding Hood’s true beauty is recognized by the wolf secondary to her naive and trusting behavior. Moreover, Little Red Riding Hood’s innocence was highlighted in this story when she questioned the constantly questioned the wolf, believing he was her grandmother. For example, she states, “But grandmamma! What big ears you got. . . But grandmamma! What big eyes you got. . . But grandmamma! What big teeth you got” (53). Little Red Riding Hood's naive nature is noted through her inability to recognize the