The authors described the miller's daughter as beautiful, and the miller was described as anxious that his daughter be well married and provided for. These support the idea that that the female sex is neither inferior nor is it a gender without importance and beauty. Women are beautiful, inside and out. Women have the X Factor that draws people, especially the opposite sex. This is also why men depict women as as beguiling temptresses who cause men's downfall. They won't admit it, but deep down, they are just afraid they're not worthy of a woman's affection or attention.
When the daughter was bethrothed to a very wealthy man whom the father couldn't find fault in, the daughter didn't like the suitor. She didn't trust him, and couldn't suppress a shudder when she looks or thinks of him. This part of the story stresses out that women are wise beings who possess common sense, and who do not get easily swayed by face value. The father, on the other hand, represents the men who would usually just take everything; hook, line, and sinker (Does this prove the theory that men's sense does not lie in the head, but between his legs?). Women are gifted with intuition, which is why we don't easily trust predatory males with bulging pockets and leering, crocodile grins. And if the men think it would only take riches and a pompous ego to woe the women, they should really devise their game plan. Women have more sense of self preservation and dignity than that.
The bird warning the fair maiden to turn back because the place where's she's going is a murderer's lair imply that men can be (and are usually) brutish and barbaric in their ways, especially when dealing with women. The man wanted her to come visit so he can cut her into pieces, cook, and eat her. What does this tell us of the male sex? They do not hold women in great regard. They do not give us respect. Yet they constantly need to "prove" their dominance. This is also very relevant today. Doesn't the boyfriend always ask the girl to come over his place? To play a bit of Parcheesi? We don't think so. Women with genuine love and affection. Men with ulterior motives and cruel intentions. Even the cases of date and gang rapes are escalating. Hence the title, Robber Bridegroom.
The part where a girl was killed by the men show the injustices and oppressions done to women. The cutting off of her finger which wore the ring was a symbol showing how men have no sense of commitment and honor, always breaking their word, and hurting women in the end.
Chivalry, as they say, is soo dead.
It's a good thing that the maiden was wise enough to throw lentils down the path she took. The women in the story who made the girl hide and helped her escape symbolized the wisdom, bravery, and loyalty of women. We always rise up to thr challenge. Yes, we may be afraid, but we are brave enough to conquer whatever kind of foe.
We women are survivors in this discriminating, chauvinistic world full of machismo. In the end, the maiden traps her romantic bridegroom and his men. And so these pigs are condemned to death as punishment, something they totally deserve.
Did we see any hysterical, fainting female in the story? Nope. Did the maiden have to weep and wait for Prince Charming to come rescue her? Nope. So sorry to put a dent in the men's oh-so-fragile sense of pride, but we women don't need
men to come rushing to our rescues. We don't have fainting spells or whatever ridiculously fictitious thing we have been wrongly stereotyped with. We are headstrong, independent, courageous, and wise beings with big hearts. Who ooze with sexiness and charm. How's that for girl power? ;)
Priscila Delgado
Tessa Yulo
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