Gender Roles In Ever After

The scene where Danielle rescues Prince Henry from the gypsies is one of the paramount scenes within ‘Ever After’ that conveys sublime elements of feminism. Throughout the scene, the subversion of gender roles and Danielle’s contrasting attributes pertain and challenge the notion of femininity in the traditional Cinderella story. At the beginning of the scene, Danielle is depicted in her undergarments and remains this way when she returns to the ground to confront the gypsies. In the traditional story, no such events were detailed as prudency and morality were obligatory traits for women, and anyone who was to revolt would be shamed. On the contrary, Danielle shows minimal concern for her lack of clothing, but rather enforces self-empowerment

The low angle displays her superiority and courage, and the close-up portrays her fearful facial expression for the welfare of Prince Henry and her instinct to defend him. This further reinforces the inverted gender roles embodied throughout the story and feminist empowerment, where the woman’s role as the saviour is ignited. A close-up shot followed by a tracking shot depicts Danielle’s counterattack one on the gypsies, displaying heroic behaviour typically portrayed as a male dominant trait, hence reiterating the subverted gender roles as Danielle succeeds the role as the main fighter in the scene. Such behaviours by Cinderella in the original fairy-tale were inexistent; instead she abstained from any form of vengeful behaviour. This was in order to maintain her submissive identity as the behaved and dutiful daughter, and proceeded to abide to the marginalising notions of the Patriarchy. When the battles ends at the conclusion of the scene, one of the gypsies informs Danielle that “(She) can take whatever (she) can carry” upon their departure. She follows their instructions, lifts Prince Henry and departs; which is a comedic scene depicted by a medium