Diana
yes, it usually is the damsel in distress. it's always about their journey in beating evil and ending up with the prince charming

Melodrama
Of course, the girl/woman is the centerpiece of a fairy tale. In 'Cinderella'....it's the abused orphan who remains optimistic and strong despite her mistreatment. Dream: To escape her nightmare. In 'Snow White'...it's the abused orphan who remains optimistic.....see above. In 'Sleeping Beauty' and the 'Little Mermaid'...both girl's have their own ideas of whom their Prince Charming is, but their destinies seem to be controlled by others. With the exceptions of 'The Little Mermaid', 'Beauty and the Beast', and 'Sleeping Beauty', Prince Charming seems to be a cardboard figure with really no character.