Reading_of_Cinderella

Reading of Cinderella The well-known fairy-tale, Cinderella, whose story has been reappropriated thousands of times all around the world, is a story that expresses ideas relating to class as well as gender using out of the ordinary events, staying true to that of most fairy-tales. Being a fairy-tale, the story is easily understood by younger audiences and to the older generations, the deeper ideas and stereotypes that are woven in skilfully can be drawn out and analysed. In the first chapter, Cinderella is briefly introduced as a “lovely”, “pretty girl” whose mother has passed away. She has been brought along with her father to live with his new wife, a “rich”, “proud” and “ill-tempered” woman with two grown-up daughters with her attributes. Interestingly, the role of the two genders seem to have been reversed in this opening chapter. Cinderella’s father is portrayed as a “powerless” man depending on his second wife’s wealth to sustain him and Cinderella. This presents the idea of the wealthy having power over the less wealthy. The image of the stepmother, portrayed as a “harsh”, and “ill tempered” woman has the potential to give children reading the story negative attitudes towards “stepmothers” and in films, stepmothers aren’t usually the favoured character. The idea of the wealthy having power over the less wealthy is once again seen through the Prince’s authority over all the guests at the ball. The Prince is given what he desires (Cinderella) due to his status. Also, when Cinderella is provided with a series of magically created items from her fairy godmother and receives attention from everybody including her stepsisters, it would be firstly be assumed as a reward for her persistence and hard work under the cruel mother. But the main idea is reinforced once again, of wealth always conquering poor. If Cinderella had not had such a “beautiful ball-dress” or “the smallest and prettiest glass slippers ever seen”, there is little doubt that she would have been ignored by the Prince. The story of Cinderella is representational of most societies, where the wealthy will always have power over the poor. Each group of characters have been clearly separated onto each side. The stepmother’s side being wealthy, cruel and manipulative; whilst Cinderella is used to show this change of state from being poor to wealthy; and the power of the Prince. While this tale is simple in complexity, underlying it are powerful ideas on society. Cinderella is still read much like it has been throughout the centuries, since the ideas that it presents have not changed. http://www.allthingsfrugal.com/cind.htm