Jessie Lee, Period 6, 10/7/22

 Modern Mythology: Literacy & Learning

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

Cinderella is a classic fairy tale that seems to be ever-evolving. When we read it as young children, we focus on her evil stepmother and stepsisters, and her happy ever after ending. However, now that I am a little bit older, I recognize a lot more of the underlying symbolism of the story. Cinderella, past all her glory and beauty, is recognized for her resilience and ability. The story resolves with the Prince being enamored with Cinderella’s “true” beauty, which was masked under her usual self since she was always working. Time and time again, even after her family bullies her, she chooses to work hard and fight to go to the ball. However, I find this idea contradictory and ironic. Cinderella is portrayed as an independent woman who is left to fend for herself in her evil family, but still relies on the approval of her Prince Charming, and sometimes her father to achieve happiness. At the end of the story, she is happy because she is with the Prince and is more beautiful, in appearance and in heart, than her evil stepmother and step sisters. There are also stories such as the Brothers Grimm version that highlight Cinderella’s role in challenging traditional beauty standards. Though Cinderella is not yet seen as a beautiful woman in the beginning, the reader readily empathizes with her situation, especially when she asks for a branch while her sisters ask for pearls and jewels. 

2. Reflect on any new information you have learned in English class by considering how that learning influences your critical perception. 

Recently in class, we discussed different qualities and ranked them according to personal importance. At the end of the class, we were taught to look at the word beauty in a different light. When we hear the word beauty, we automatically think physical and will tend to not say it’s important because it seems shallow. However, beauty can be so much more; it can portray itself as understanding, forgiving, kindness, and more. This inclusive noun of beauty has strengthened my ideas on Feminism Criticism. Women are oftentimes not seen past their appearance at first glance, even in modern society. They are often expected to uphold different standards than men and are and are sometimes subject to more scrutiny from society than men are. This new information has also influenced the way I understand Critical Disability Studies. In The Princess in the Suit of Leather, despite being blind under her leather suit, Cinderella was expected to be a slave and do chores around the palace. She was also forced to serve food to the Prince, going as far as to balancing it on her head, all because of his request. Her disability is completely disregarded and it goes to demonstrate how others only saw her as a woman, one without status and beauty, which automatically forced her to be a laborer. In modern society, it is also easy to disregard the disabled. One obvious issue is transportation. Though our city is trying to improve on this issue, there are still many subway stations that are not accessible for those with wheelchair disabilities, which can make traveling for those with disabilities much more difficult. People also tend to look down on people with mental disabilities. These people are easily ridiculed for something they cannot control because others do not or cannot fully understand the situation that they are in.

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

Adding on to what I have learned and understood about Critical Disability Studies, autism is one mental disorder that is more well-known, but even adults with autism suffer a lot of difficulties. They often age out of government programs and are left to look for work themselves, which can be very difficult for them because it can take longer to develop skills or understand tasks. I think everything that we have learned in class made me realize that because society is engulfed in the idea of inclusivity and diversity, we overlook our shortcomings and fail to address pressing social issues that in turn affect the lives of many. Further, my culture is one that often values males over females because of their ability to carry down the family name. Myth teaches us to reflect without boundaries or limits. It is a place that allows me to cultivate knowledge and feel proud to learn. Growing up, my academics was the only place that I could stand out, and achieving things seemed to be the only way I could be recognized. I have recently been able to start breaking down these barriers and standards that I have set for myself and have embodied a new plan to start doing things for myself and not others. East Asian culture also tends to have very strong and clear ideas of beauty: pale skin, skinny, double eyelids, tall nose, v-shaped chin, and so much more. There is often an unsaid rule of always looking your best, whether it be for a trip to the grocery store or a fancy dinner. Though I felt that I have spent my whole life battling against the traditional standards of beauty in my culture, I realized that beauty is something that belongs to everyone, and I need to recognize it before others can. I think it has helped me in finding a new side of myself that I can appreciate and love.