Why Are Stepmothers Evil?
Stories are so powerful that they end up creating stereotypes. Truth is, every story takes its course. You're free to take from any story whatever you feel is good and leave the rest. That could in turn help you take your course.
Stepmothers have long been portrayed evil in stories, not without a reason. Stepmother takes the place of Mother—a much loved figure. People don't feel comfortable watching a real wicked mother and that's where the stepmother steps in to fill the void in the creator's mind. What creators often fail to explain is—why is the stepmother evil? Well, I know a film that does—Cinderella.
All is good in the life of Cinderella—a charming young girl—until her widowed dad marries an awful woman with two awful daughters who envy Cinderella and cause trouble for her. However, Cinderella's kindness and courage (and of course, some magic) takes her all the way to become the princess of her own kingdom. Now you know the plot, let's get straight to the Stepmother.
Basically, there are two kinds of people.
The Stepmother's kind is filled with fear and hatred. The Stepmother enslaves Cinderella. Cinderella lives the life of a maid, in a house that once belonged to her. Towards the end of the film, Cinderella desperately asks her Stepmother why is she so cruel. Here's what the Stepmother has to say about her.
The Stepmother had a husband, who passed away. She marries Cinderella's widowed father, who passes away too. All she's left with is her two young daughters whom she believes are stupid. Her insecurity has made her greedy. She hates Cinderella for all the good she is.
The second kind is that of Cinderella's—filled with courage and kindness. Cinderella loses both her parents and is all alone. Although, unlike the Stepmother, she doesn't lose hope. That's because her mother taught her to be courageous and kind. Her good upbringing had cultivated her optimistic outlook.
The prince of her kingdom falls in love with her, elevating Cinderella from a commoner to the princess. The Stepmother leaves the kingdom after failing to marry off either of her daughters to the prince. Things would have turned out differently if she had trusted Cinderella and loved her, but she believes there's no true love. You are what you believe. The Stepmother was a mere opportunist.
Fairy tales are blown-up renderings of real life. They cast a ray of hope and instill faith in goodness. Though fairy tales are mostly women-centric, I believe we're all same at the heart's core. I admit I've never seen anyone so good as Cinderella. No one is born good or bad.
I'll elaborate on that with the aid of another fictional character in my next write-up. Feel free to comment your thoughts—I'd love to hear them!
All is good in the life of Cinderella—a charming young girl—until her widowed dad marries an awful woman with two awful daughters who envy Cinderella and cause trouble for her. However, Cinderella's kindness and courage (and of course, some magic) takes her all the way to become the princess of her own kingdom. Now you know the plot, let's get straight to the Stepmother.
Basically, there are two kinds of people.
The Stepmother's kind is filled with fear and hatred. The Stepmother enslaves Cinderella. Cinderella lives the life of a maid, in a house that once belonged to her. Towards the end of the film, Cinderella desperately asks her Stepmother why is she so cruel. Here's what the Stepmother has to say about her.
The Stepmother had a husband, who passed away. She marries Cinderella's widowed father, who passes away too. All she's left with is her two young daughters whom she believes are stupid. Her insecurity has made her greedy. She hates Cinderella for all the good she is.
Have you ever felt you're so good only to be hurt by others? That's exactly what happened with Cinderella.
The second kind is that of Cinderella's—filled with courage and kindness. Cinderella loses both her parents and is all alone. Although, unlike the Stepmother, she doesn't lose hope. That's because her mother taught her to be courageous and kind. Her good upbringing had cultivated her optimistic outlook.
You see goodness everywhere when you're full of goodness yourself.
The prince of her kingdom falls in love with her, elevating Cinderella from a commoner to the princess. The Stepmother leaves the kingdom after failing to marry off either of her daughters to the prince. Things would have turned out differently if she had trusted Cinderella and loved her, but she believes there's no true love. You are what you believe. The Stepmother was a mere opportunist.
Fairy tales are blown-up renderings of real life. They cast a ray of hope and instill faith in goodness. Though fairy tales are mostly women-centric, I believe we're all same at the heart's core. I admit I've never seen anyone so good as Cinderella. No one is born good or bad.
We go through the ups and downs of life that gives us a character arc—the end of which is always good.
I'll elaborate on that with the aid of another fictional character in my next write-up. Feel free to comment your thoughts—I'd love to hear them!
Comments
Post a Comment