GENDER STEREOTYPING AND THE USE OF SEMANTICS IN THE CINDERELLA SERIES: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

Abstract

In the current research Article, the paper examines how the Cinderella series has entrenched gender stereotypes and how the given stereotypes have become reinforced with the semantics and linguistic structure of the cultural and media versions of the work. The exploration uses the critical discourse analysis (CDA) to analyze the classical and modern versions of the Cinderella narrative in an attempt to identify the patriarchal ideologies that are conveyed using the language. A focus on semantic patterns, character agency, gendered metaphors, and discursively created structures of analysis is concentrated in the analysis. The results indicate that women are being continuously depicted as a typical feminine character with submissiveness, emotional, and supportive character traits whereas male characters are being portrayed as outgoing, a man of action, and heroic characters. These discursive practices are presented to further traditional gender roles and make gendered behavior appear natural in the cultural psyche by telling the same story, repeatedly.