Volume 12 : Issue 12.2 (2025)

Glimpses of Eco-feminism in Cinderella Tale

Eco-critical texts demand the study of these texts from an ecocritical point of view i.e., the representation of ecological crisis in literature. Thus, the connection between literature and nature may become not only the study of ecocritical texts but also the means of raising awareness of burning issues related to nature. Eco-feminism lies under the branch of feminism which studies the connection between women and nature. It views a patriarchal society as responsible for the exploitation of both women and nature. On the other hand, it also views women’s nurturing and caring attitude towards nature and other non-human entities i.e., association of women with nature and men with culture. This article intends to analyse the fairy tale of Cinderella from an eco-feminist point of view as there may be some glimpses of Cinderella's caring nature towards a hazel tree and pigeons. On the other hand, the objectification of Cinderella and exploitation of natural elements might be done by patriarchy i.e., by Prince and Cinderella’s father when they ordered to cut down a tree from where Cinderella sneaked out on the second day of the ball. As eco-critical texts already contain reflections of ecology or ecological crisis in books but this paper will try to find out if there are any traces of a connection between female characters and nature or not as well as if the exploitation and utilisation of nature and female gender by male character occur or not in Cinderella tale.

Eco-feminism, Eco-criticism and oppression of women and nature