Human Desires and Their Influences on the Formation of Social Structure: Representations of Gender Roles in Children's Tales

Abstract

Stories have the ability to influence us to maintain existing social structures. To demonstrate this idea, this study examines two stories, The Turnip and The Golden Goose from Grimms' Fairy Tales (1996). Because tales give different pleasures and promises to boys and girls, they can trigger their desires. Through these effects, we can begin to learn gender-related traits. These are the traits that lead us to form social structures that we are not consciously aware of. To break away from the influences of fictional fantasies, Belsey (1980) suggests that adults offer alternative tales. This study thus explores how nontraditional tales can offer alternative viewpoints for readers to consider. So, the readers can have a chance to think about how they can challenge conventional gender roles. The nontraditional stories, chosen for this study to explain alternative perspectives, are Winterson's (2003) The King of Capri and Funke's (1997) The Princess Pigsty. By experiencing alternative stories, it is hoped that children can produce their own meaning regarding gender roles and transform the biased social structure.