A Brief Interpretation Of Female Images In Western Fairy Tales

Fairy tales, originating from the folk, is a crystallization of humanity's collective intelligence and human's living experience. Differences in the images of female and male in traditional tales convey patriarchal mentality. In particular, heroines'images of "Others" accord with males'expectation of ideal females. In 1970s, feminism criticism theory has changed traditional situation of strong males and weak females. Feminism writers and critics, in rewriting traditional tales, show readers modern new female images that are active, brave and independent. Meanwhile, tales, as an indispensible part in children's development, exert important influence on them, especially on girls'character, identity development and social identity. Based on feminism, this paper will contrast the female images in traditional tales with the rewritten ones, analyze and expose the evolution of female images in tales as well as the connotations behind. Also, with children's psychology, the paper will explain the effect of fairy tales in the development of children, especially that of girls.Divided into four chapters, the first chapter mainly circles around "fairy tales". It mainly introduces its origin, evolution and development. Initially originating from folk literature, elements of fairy tales are embedded in mythology, legend and fables. Fairy tales are not created for children in the first place, but as adult description with adults as the main audience. During the enlightenment movement, intellectual's discovery of "humanity" promoted the discovery of "childhood" and that of independent "individual" of females. This has enabled fairy tales to develop into an independent literature genre. Meanwhile, females exerted profound influence on the process.In chapter two "re-reading of traditional fairy tales", that children's literature criticism flourished during the early 1970s, in the second wave of it becoming feminist theory will be introduced. Naturally methods of feminism criticism then attracted attention of the community of children's literature. To be specific, feminist critics further understand tales through rereading its classics. Through analysis of the characteristics of female images and differences between female and male images in traditional fairy tales, the paper exposes the patriarchal mentality of male center and female attachment as well as strong male and weak female.Chapter three is "rewriting of traditional tales". Feminist critics are increasingly unsatisfied with the female images in traditional tales, thus starting rewriting them. Among these writers, Angela Carter of Britain is of significant influence. Through analyses of the classic female images in her works, the paper will show readers different new female images under equality and hegemonism. The ideal gentle and obedient females develop into modern brave and independent females. Females'transformation from being depressive to positive, from being obedient to rebellious, and from being dependent to independent is fully represented.Childhood is a period when people's thinking, character and personality gradually take into shape. Fairy tales play an important role in children's development. The fourth chapter will, by combining with children's psychology, analyze the influence of fairy tales on children, especially on girls. It also recommends parents or teachers, in appropriate way, guide children to read correctly and understand fairy tales for the benefit of their healthy development.