Feminism and The Cinderella Complex

          The Women's movement was started from the following famous books: The Vindication of Rights of Women, The Second Sex, The Subjection of Family etc (1960's). Moreover in the concept of feminism several new ideas were pointed out by various artists. For example, Showalter`s three phases, Ecriture Feminine from Julia Kristeva, Debates and Arguments in The Second Sex and so on.

What is Feminism?

Feminism claims equal rights including voting, owning property, liberty, education, political influences, maternity leave, in marriage. It is against for women`s harassment. It helps to protect a girl from rape and domestic violence.

Another new term which is closely related to this topic is 'The Cinderella Complex`.

The concept of 'Cinderella Complex` is first explained by Colette Dowling. This concept deal with an unconscious desire to be taken care of others. This complex becomes more apparent when a girl grows older.

The term 'Cinderella' is derived from a fairy tale Cinderella, a girl who is polite, graceful, beautiful, hardworking but she cannot change her situations and she must be helped by others. The twenty first century women are indirectly affected by this complex. Even though there are several actions are taken by Indian government to protect girls, harassment is happening. The major reason is this complex. 

It is a step by step process:

1. A boy pretends to love a girl.

2.He starts to talk with her in a genuine manner.

3.He starts to give important suggestions and this is the first step in the complex.

4.Gradually she started to depend him even for a small decision.

5. This will develop and she always expecting for his decision.

These five steps pays way for further harassment and betrayal. In the modern fiction, the characters of Indian women are mostly affected by this complex. The most recent example is Novoneel`s The Stranger Triology. An unknown stranger throws a female protagonist in this situation. She is expecting an unknown person's decision for her every moment. Girls must aware of this complex and their decision must be theirs. Their life; their decision. Do not involve other person`s influence on your life. 

Reference:

      Barry, Peter. "Feminist Criticism." Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory. Manchester: Manchester UP, 1995. N. pag. Print.
     Dowling, Colette. The Cinderella Complex: Women's Hidden Fear of Independence. New York: Summit, 1981. Print.