Gender and Pan's Labyrinth

There is definitely a patriarchal structure in Pan's labyrinth, both in the real and fantasy worlds in the story. I was more interested though in the partriachal structure in the real world where CaptainVidal is the dictator and everyone else are the loyal subjects. Clearly, his authority and presence is powerful enough to bring fear into the hearts of his army in so much that they obey and comply with his bloody commands. What struck out for me was that the female characters in the story complied with Vidal or was loyal under his rule not because they feared him. Ofelia's mother chooses to submit to Vidal by sitting in the wheelchair upon his request because she loves her children and fears for the dismal future that the war has pronounced for innocent people like herself. I enjoyed watching Mercedes who expressed real fear and uncertanity of not seeing the light,victory out of the darkness she lives when she says,"I must be a coward for washing his clothes, cooking his food." The fear she expresses is valid because she is disheartened and uncertain about the outcome yet she overcomes this with strenght summoned by hatred of Vidal and his merciless crimes,war, suffering and endless pain her country is made to suffer; when she violently scars Vidal's face. Ofelia is fearless because she is a child, she takes on the responsibility of making choices that determine the well-being of her family and her future. The evil mainfestations of the Captain are the toad and the pale man which she overcomes with a strong belief in the "happily ever after"