An Analysis of the Images of Women in the Animated Movie “Cinderella”

The core of literature as well as movie is a reflection of society, among which the phenomenon of feminism has emerged as a controversial and academic topic. It has attracted many scholars’ attentions. Files of research relating to feminism have been undertaken based on theories and concepts. The significance of feminism becomes evident through the history: it is divided as three waves and the first movement in 19th century and 20th century focused on the promotion of rights for women. Thus, loads of movies and books based on feminism were out and within broad scale of movies considering this issue, I choose the famous animated movie “Cinderella” as my analyzing subject. Feminism, created in late 19th, concentrating on the rights for women and the promotion of women. Thus, the study and report of feminism is significant when it comes to better understanding of that time and history.

Characters in movies are representative and one can get a distinctive impression of a character from his or her appearance and manner. “Cinderella” simply shows that kind hearts will always be saved and evil ones condemned. Cinderella in the movie is a typically virtuous person while her cold-blood stepmother and siblings are sculptured as characters that represented the most evil ones. Cinderella, had the most beauty herself: her fair skin, her smooth hair and her attractive smile. Absolutely, her pure outlook indicated that she was a warm and sincere girl. By contrast, one felt disgusting when watching her stepmother and siblings. Thus, the audience will set up a rough perception for each of the characters the minute they see their countenance. For instance, at the beginning of the movie, Cinderella woke up and began to sing “No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, someday the dream that I wish will come true.” This sent out a strong feeling that she is a very optimistic figure, whereas when the siblings came into the picture, they were fighting over a ribbon and it was eventually apart since neither of them would let go. Moreover, Cinderella always walked in an air of easiness and lightness in spite of the heavy load of housework. Yet her siblings stamped a lot since they get hysterical about everything. From the simple comparison and analysis, we can come to the conclusion that, Cinderella, her stepmother and siblings represented two totally different types. The former was reliable and comfortable while the latter make audience feel the devious in the world.

However, even though Cinderella shows a good personality, her destiny is misery and from the movie, we could figure out women in that time rely on men, especially men in high status to live. In the movie, Cinderella has been tortured by her stepmother since her father’s death, and it seems that her identity and significance had been ripped off ever since her father, the male power, left. This implied that a woman is merely an accessory of a man. Unlike the unyielding Jane who had trapped into the same cage but regained confidence as a woman in the novel Jane Eyre, Cinderella did not do anything instead of obeying. She was taught that if she want to be a perfect lady with a spotless reputation she should be obedient and wait for a man to marry. To some extent, she lost herself. And it is in contrary with what we call feminism.  In the movie, female, as a relatively weaker one, largely depended on male to live at that time. They had no freedom and dream. To some extent, they were subject to males, because they were thought to be none but a tool for the continuance of the family. Females were forbidden to learn and write. Thus, compared with males, they were out of date and narrow-minded. Their lives were in charge of males. However, even though women are thought to be weak and unrespectable, the theory of feminism still became popular. Goldstein (1982) states that the Utopian Socialist and French philosopher, Charles Fourier is the one who created the word “feminism”. Feminism, in Cambridge Dictionary, means the belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power and opportunities as men and be treated the same way, or the set of activities intended to achieve this state. And the enthusiasm of those pioneering women (Ruether, 2012)are triggered by the Quaker’s belief that both gender are equal in spirit.

The most attractive plot, serving as decisive turning-points in the movie is the glass shoe that has been left on the stairs of the castle as Cinderella makes haste to the pumpkin coach fearing her promise that she will be back at home at precise twelve o’clock will be breached by herself. This error leaves the servants in the castle with something to trace thus making the reunion of Cinderella and the prince possible. Absolutely, it is never wrong to say that the glass shoe is the main factor that contributes to the ending of this story. Shoes and pumpkins are semiotic, they are not themselves in the movie. In other words, they are stuffs women longer for and depend on.

Whenever appreciating a glassware, one gets a natural feeling that the thing must be pure and distinctive. And the fact that only Cinderella can fit her feet into that shinny pair of glass shoes sends out a signal that she must be as pure and simple as them. And this fairy tale has a predecessor. A tale recorded by the Greek geographer, Strabo (2014) depicts that when a slave girl Rhodopis, “Rosey-Eyes” was bathing, an eagle snatched one of her sandals and threw it on the lap of the King while he was administering justice in the open air. Amazed by the beautiful shape of the sandal, he ordered a command to find the owner of the sandal. When founded and brought into the Kingdom. Rhodopis was made a Queen. However, the idea of shoes and pumpkins are supposed to be abandoned, because they make women look down at themselves. Women at that time had no right themselves and depended on men to live. In order to enjoy a wonderful life they must find someone to support their life and provided them with endless wealth. Thus they need something as glass shoes and pumpkins to help them realize their dreams.

Admittedly, animated movies are thought to be naïve and not suitable for adults to some extent; However, it is no doubt we can learn from them. For instance, in the movie Cinderella, we catch light on the meaning of feminism and understand it in a way more interesting than in school. Moreover, through analyzing the movie, we stand high than before and out of the limitation.


References
Goldstein, L. (1982). Early Feminist Themes in French Utopian Socialism: The St.-Simonians  and Fourier. Journal of the History of Ideas, 43(1), 92-93.
Mulvey, L. (1975). Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. Screen, 16 (3), 6-18.
Ruether, R. R. (2012). Women and Redemption: A Theological History (2nd ed.). Minneapolis: Fortress Press.
Strabo. (2014). The Geography of Strabo. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.


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