Recently while crafting how I was going to tell “The Wild Swans” for a class presentation I found myself sinking into the depths of a genre that silences the female character, expecting her to complete her domestic tasks without complaint, leaving her helpless at the mercy of a society willing to execute her. Although Princess Elisa is the hero in this tale that Hans Christian Andersen transformed into literature in this tale type 451, I felt no respect for her, and didn’t notice her strengths, instead I saw in her the parts of myself that I would rather shed, leave behind, and forget. Like how I did not always use my voice or know how to, times when I did not voice my feelings or desires in a relationship, times when for one reason or another I found myself isolated on a rock in the middle of the sea. I wanted to know her story or, how could I tell it?
I thought of my own journey feeling pity for Elisa I started noticing subtle differences that gave Elisa more power. For one, she had a name, and her silence was her conscious choice, although her brothers’ lives were at stake. It took strength and courage to remain at her task silently. Elisa challenged the church without ever attempting to defend herself, and only to release her brothers. It was in her true nature to be kind, sweet, lovely and absolutely beautiful, Elisa was just being herself.
I thought about how I am raising a daughter in these times that “Me Too” has taken on new meaning and it is important for me to listen to and embrace everyone’s story. I was reminded not to underestimate the strength of the quiet, agreeable and lovely female character and to not look back on my own compliance with judgement. Most importantly during this process, as woman in a culture, that is fiercely striving for equality and balance within gender roles I was reminded it is crucial for true empowerment that I see strengths, maximizing them in others as well as myself. Whether it is folktales or in real life this to me was a reminder that I didn’t even know I needed, not to woman shame and to always exalt our strengths.
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