Carolee Chen, Period 7, 9/21/2022

 

Carolee Chen 

Period 7

9/21/2022

Modern Mythology 2022

Literacy & Learning

Write about your thoughts regarding any of the fiction or nonfiction covered in class.

In class, we have read and discussed over nine different versions of the Cinderella story. Previously, I had already read the Grimm’s Brother’s version in middle school and thought that was the only twisted version of the Disney movie I had once grown up with and adored. The fact that the princess did not have a happy ending was foreign, but intriguing. After reading the Grimm's version, I had always loved and appreciated the creativity, gore, and talent that goes into creating such contorted versions from seemingly charming stories and vice versa. I thought that the Grimm’s version was already extreme, but after reading the nine versions of Cinderella, I was pleasantly shocked. Not only were the versions more extreme and even dove into the topic of incest, I loved how different aspects of culture each version originated from were also intertwined. After reading the Cinderella versions assigned, I also read a few versions of other children's fairy tales and was amazed at its artistry.

Reflect on any new information you have learned in English class by considering how

that learning influences your critical perception.

During our discussion, Ms Fusaro mentioned the idea of the “feminist lens”, a critical perception of how woman are characterized and perceived in comparison to men in literature. It is obvious that during the time periods these stories were written, society was very misogynistic and women had no power. However, it is still fascinating as it is infuriating to see that the “evil” stepmother character was blamed in every single version. Even though the father blatantly participates in incestuous desires with his own daughter, somehow it is the woman who was characterized as selfish for money and power. After being introduced to this feminist perspective of critical analysis, I have realized just how far the extent of misogyny stands. The degradation of women can be directly compared throughout all kinds of literature and historical events, including the biblical story of Adam and Eve and the Salem Witch Trials. Time and time again, women have been pronounced as inherently evil, hence the character the “Evil Stepmother” and the “Evil Queen” in Snow White. 

How is what you’re learning applied to any other classes/the world around you?

After learning about the “feminist lens” and seeing how thousands of female characters throughout literature are sadly disrespected, this just inspires me to continue fighting and advocating for women’s rights. Reading and discussing the maltreatment of a women’s image in class reminded me of last year in AP Language & Composition class when we were instructed to do a two-months long research project on policies we felt needed to be changed in society. I chose to write about the policies of reproductive care and coincidentally, I had to present my arguments for better women’s reproductive rights during the week Roe v. Wade was overturned. In the event of Roe v. Wade’s overturning, it was almost all men who voted it is the government’s right to choose when a woman is ready to have a child or not. Somehow, it was still men and the corruption of the government that had decided for an entire population’s reproductive health decision. Even in our society that is supposedly progressive, misogyny still cannot be escaped. Even if these stories were written more than 200 years ago, the underlying pattern of misogyny continues to manifest itself. After leaning about the “feminist lens”, I will not only read literature and female characters in a different way, but continue to fight for women’s rights in society right now.