The Double Bind Of Masculinity In Susan Bordo's Cinderella
No matter how young or old, people can still find themselves enjoying Disney princess movies. I remember watching them over and over with my entire family growing up. Their messages tend to change with the time but they tend to use stereotypes. In Susan Bordo’s essay, Gentleman or Beast? The Double Bind of Masculinity, she focuses on how men are expected to have the characteristics of two different kinds of people. They are expected to be dominant and have a beast-like sexuality while being able to be gentle and caring towards women. The traits are noticeably diverse, making if difficult for anyone to live up to those standards.
In the beginning, double binds were prominent in Disney’s storytelling when it came to women. But eventually, double …show more content…
The story was about a girl who had an evil stepmother and two horrible step sisters for family. Just like in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, doing housework is something women should do happily. Cinderella was seen as their servant, doing everything they asked of her. She was never bitter about it. Everyday, she would put on a kind face, doing whatever she was told. Another representation of stereotyping is shown when she goes to a ball. Cinderella was the most beautiful girl there, immediately getting the attention of the prince. Before the clock struck midnight, he loved her, all without getting to know her. The double standard here is that women should be kind. Yet, if women are pretty, it does not matter how they behave. Personality seems to not matter in the end after all. (Soreson, par. 3)
Decades later, The Little Mermaid was released. In the movie, it is portrayed that women should be curious. But, they should do everything for men, even to the point where they will change themselves for them.This story consisted of a curious mermaid named Ariel. She wanted to know what else was out there instead of living underwater all her life. But, it was just an idea. Later on, she saves Prince Eric’s life. She never has a chance to talk to him. Yet, she is in love with him. This drives her to sell her voice to change her body, just so she can be near him. (What Disney Teaches
In the beginning, double binds were prominent in Disney’s storytelling when it came to women. But eventually, double …show more content…
The story was about a girl who had an evil stepmother and two horrible step sisters for family. Just like in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, doing housework is something women should do happily. Cinderella was seen as their servant, doing everything they asked of her. She was never bitter about it. Everyday, she would put on a kind face, doing whatever she was told. Another representation of stereotyping is shown when she goes to a ball. Cinderella was the most beautiful girl there, immediately getting the attention of the prince. Before the clock struck midnight, he loved her, all without getting to know her. The double standard here is that women should be kind. Yet, if women are pretty, it does not matter how they behave. Personality seems to not matter in the end after all. (Soreson, par. 3)
Decades later, The Little Mermaid was released. In the movie, it is portrayed that women should be curious. But, they should do everything for men, even to the point where they will change themselves for them.This story consisted of a curious mermaid named Ariel. She wanted to know what else was out there instead of living underwater all her life. But, it was just an idea. Later on, she saves Prince Eric’s life. She never has a chance to talk to him. Yet, she is in love with him. This drives her to sell her voice to change her body, just so she can be near him. (What Disney Teaches