The Expected Heroine Analysis

The Unexpected Heroine The most fascinating aspect about any given folktale is that each story is somehow passed on to other countries and cultures, where the indigenous peoples modify it to make it their own. Even though they are able to add their own flavor to the story, the gender roles seem to hold the shape. Usually we see the hero as a male that ventured out to the unknown and by some trial he matures and returns the respected head of the household. Women on the other hand, only leave their parent’s household when her father has found a husband that he feels suits the family the best. The woman is then expected to fill the needs and desires of her husband all the while maintaining the household chores. A pleasant breaking of this gender
She is completely aware that the odds are against her and that she is going to have to start over anew but she would much rather stay true to her virtues than to take the easy way out. In the typical folktale, the woman would have been petrified of the unknown and tried to stay where she was comfortable but, the main character knows that the only way to gain confidence is take the difficult path and prove to yourself that you can do it. When one knows the work that it took to overcome a difficult situation or achieve a goal, they are filled with a sense of accomplishment and it is rewarding to them. “Her baby woke and began to fuss, but she had no way to feed or change him, no way to soothe him except with the sound of her voice.” I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for a mother that cannot physical take care of her baby. It is such an intimate moment that promotes bonding between the baby and the one that cares for him. The main character’s inner strength shines through yet again, showing us that she will not let her disability define her as a woman or the amount of love that she has for her son and instead of pitying herself she will find a