aliceinHerLand

Female Agency and Empowerment

In the context of the story, women like Gritta was under many social restrictions. For example, “a young lady” like her was expected to “return to her parents” when she passed by the miller’s farm (von Arnim and von Arnim Grimm 12). If a women and a man “immerse themselves so deeply in earily times”, it could brought troubles to that lady’s father (19). Ladies were restricted from society integrations, and they should “sit home and quietly and embroider a fire screen” (20). 

Despite all navigate societal expectations, Gritta raised her own voice to protect her. Her shouting “[i]f I want a sugar-cookie man, I can bake him myself” portrayed a strong Gritta that willing to go against restrictions to gain the control of her life (16). She protested agains the married arranged by her parents. She chose to not be a “well-behaved little Gritta” and later in the story showed desire of independence when she ran away with her friends (23). Throughout the story, readers see a young and smart Gritta who found her happiness ending without any marriage, any prince, and the help of any immortal forces. Not only that intelligent Gritta saved her life from becoming “a nun”, but also saved eleven other girls from the convent and the prejudices of society (39). Yes, the high countess Gritta was a “wild little thing”, but all modern perspectives that Gritta had could be seen as signs of early feminism. Though females then had not yet acknowledged equality, they did “think out freedom” and fought for it (51). The fact that this story was written by two female authors spots the idea about female agency out even more. After all difficulties, the fiction character Gritta found her freedom, what about all women in the real world?

von Arnim, Bettine, and von Arnim Grimm, Gisela. “The Life of the High Countess Gritta von Ratsinourhouse,” translated by Lisa Ohm. University of Nebraska Press, 1999.