THE EVOLUTION OF THE FEMALE CHARACTER: FROM FAIRY TALES TO THE FILM “BRAVE” - A STUDY IN COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

Luis Cardoso,Carolina Clérigo

doi:10.46827/ejlll.v3i4.50

Abstract

This article aims to develop a comparative analysis between the evolution of the female character in fairy tales, and the film adaptation “Brave”, launched in 2012. In this sense, we will evaluate the characteristics of the female character, over time, dividing princesses into three large groups. Regarding the cinematic narrative, we will analyze the main characteristics of the character Merida, and the plot of the scenes that makes the film surprising. The result of the analysis allows us to conclude that cinematography follows the evolution of society.  Article visualizations:<img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0716/a.php" alt="Hit counter" />

Highlights

The concept of Comparative Literature is based on the comparison between two or more literary works and can assume other types of comparison, as is the case, for example, the analysis of a literary narrative and its adaptation to the level of cinematography
We will analyze the characteristics of the female character, which we find in fairy tales, and later, we will analyze the film “Brave”, highlighting the similarities and differences, of the character “Merida”, concerning the traditional female character
According to Carvalhal, the term Comparative Literature "(...) designates a form of literary research that confronts two or more pieces of literature" but, when we start to make contact with works classified as "comparative literary studies", we realize that this de-nomination ends up labelling very varied investigations, that adopt different methodologies and that, due to the diversification of the objects of analysis, grant to the compared literature a vast field of action (Carvalhal, 2006, p.5)

Summary

Introduction

The concept of Comparative Literature is based on the comparison between two or more literary works and can assume other types of comparison, as is the case, for example, the analysis of a literary narrative and its adaptation to the level of cinematography. No one does not remember one of these stories, which are part of their childhood, adolescence or even adult life Due to their characteristics, fairy tales immediately fascinate the reader and capture their attention, through their linguistic simplicity and the existence of magic and enchantments. “Disney is known for revealing a charm that engages people in the world of magic it engenders, blending reality and fiction in a surprisingly subtle way His cinematographic productions elevate the imaginary, rekindling the antagonism between good and evil, with a happy ending that regenerates dreams and the possibility of making them real.” (Aguiar & Barros, 2015, p.1). We will analyze the characteristics of the female character, which we find in fairy tales, and later, we will analyze the film “Brave”, highlighting the similarities and differences, of the character “Merida”, concerning the traditional female character

The traditional female character

The new female image: analysis of the film narrative

Conclusion