The Expected Heroine Analysis

The Unexpected Heroine The most fascinating aspect about any given folktale is that each story is somehow passed on to other countries and cultures, where the indigenous peoples modify it to make it their own. Even though they are able to add their own flavor to the story, the gender roles seem to hold the shape. Usually we see the hero as a male that ventured out to the unknown and by some trial he matures and returns the respected head of the household. Women on the other hand, only leave their parent’s household when her father has found a husband that he feels suits the family the best. The woman is then expected to fill the needs and desires of her husband all the while maintaining the household chores. A pleasant breaking of this gender
mold can be found in “The Armless Maiden,” which comes from South Africa. In this tale our hero is a heroine that finds her own virtues and voice by overcoming great obstacles. “Dress me in a plain gown and strap my baby to my back and I will leave.” In this powerful statement the main character is showing that she does not need anyone’s pity and that she can and will figure out a way on her own.
She is completely aware that the odds are against her and that she is going to have to start over anew but she would much rather stay true to her virtues than to take the easy way out. In the typical folktale, the woman would have been petrified of the unknown and tried to stay where she was comfortable but, the main character knows that the only way to gain confidence is take the difficult path and prove to yourself that you can do it. When one knows the work that it took to overcome a difficult situation or achieve a goal, they are filled with a sense of accomplishment and it is rewarding to them. “Her baby woke and began to fuss, but she had no way to feed or change him, no way to soothe him except with the sound of her voice.” I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for a mother that cannot physical take care of her baby. It is such an intimate moment that promotes bonding between the baby and the one that cares for him. The main character’s inner strength shines through yet again, showing us that she will not let her disability define her as a woman or the amount of love that she has for her son and instead of pitying herself she will find a
solution. Each obstacle that the main character faced can be related to any obstacle that one might face today, in that it is all how the person appraises the situation. There is so much power held in one’s thoughts meaning that if they are constantly thinking that they will fail, odds are that they will but if they have the attitude that they will figure out a way and get through it, they will. That is exactly what the main character of this story did which is how she was able to empower herself and accomplish so much in spite of her disabilities. Our society could really learn from her.