Having listened to a version of Cinderella this week as a kids'* audiobook, my English-teacher/sociologist** brain went into overdrive! I found myself musing on each little twist of the tale, which I had never before considered as a carefully crafted sequence. Cinderella has been much maligned in feminist theory (as have pretty much all "princess" stories) because to them the poor girl appears completely forlorn, waiting around for a bloke to save her. However none of the aspersions cast has done anything to dim our fascination if the Disney-franchising-and-merchandising-machine can be relied upon, and I think Cinderella might have some important lessons to teach us. This story, which enchants girls of all ages, who ALWAYS identify with Cinderella (not the Ugly Stepsisters, or the Stepmother, or the Fairy Godmother...) why does it endure?
My Daughter, may you always identify with Cinderella, with the most beautiful of them all. May you always revile cruelty, and true ugliness, which is the ugliness of character.
Cinderella's beauty is repeatedly mentioned, not just a genetic gift, but as a reflection of her virtuousness. She might have been just a pretty girl, but the storyteller is always quick to point out the greater value; her kindness, which radiates out to make her fine features more attractive. Cinderella suffers much at the hands of her stepfamily not because of the physical labour, but because of the offence to her generosity. But she never lowers herself to their level, rather their unkindness forces her to strive for new heights of goodness, rising above their evil treatment day after day. New versions say she does this to fulfil her promise to her mother, but in the older version her mother implores her to be virtuous for God's protection.
Here is where your beauty lies, oh Daughter, in always rising above the evil around you. Evil always attacks goodness, but true goodness is always good, no matter the circumstances. It has faith that justice will be served.
Here is where your beauty lies, oh Daughter, in always rising above the evil around you. Evil always attacks goodness, but true goodness is always good, no matter the circumstances. It has faith that justice will be served.
Cinderella is deprived of all that is rightfully hers and promises made to her are broken. The stepmother sets impossible tasks that Cinderella might earn a night at the Ball, and is enraged when she finds these things have given her hope, when they ought to have caused her to despair! The Fairy Godmother appears, seemingly out of nowhere, and magically transforms Cinderella's circumstances beyond her wildest dreams! I wouldn't like to infer that patience and generosity always pay off, but Cinderella's "reward" for her patience, even when all hope seemed completely lost, is more than she could possibly have imagined. A coach from a pumpkin? A mouse for a footman? A shoe made of glass? It is almost ridiculous, truly sublime.
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard... the treasures the Lord has in store for those who love Him, oh Daughter! God is good, He sees you in your troubles, never lose hope, or give in to despair.
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard... the treasures the Lord has in store for those who love Him, oh Daughter! God is good, He sees you in your troubles, never lose hope, or give in to despair.
The Prince, we assume, has received a comprehensive education and training for Court life, but Cinderella? One sees no indication that she might have had an opportunity to study the manners and customs of the gentry, and yet the only way she stands out among the rest is by just how well she fits in!! Her skill however is is not in fitting in, but that she epitomises all the virtues they hold dear. Her beauty, grace, modesty, all radiate outward. The mysterious princess captures the attention of not just the Prince, but all at Court. He can't take his eyes off her, but it seems that neither can anyone else, everyone she meets is in love with her.
Dear Daughter, you need never worry about being accepted in different company, just be a light in darkness, those who love light and truth will love you.
My darling Daughter, when you practice being kind even to your enemies, you will find it easy to follow the lead of those who love you. You can inspire love by your trust.
Cinderella is one of the lucky ones in that she doesn't have to kiss any frogs to find her Prince! The Prince's virtue is on public record; he is in training to be King, he has spent a lifetime preparing for leadership, and therefore she may trust that he is good, and his intentions honourable. He will live his life in the light for all to see and follow, and he will encourage her to do the same. Knowing this, she shows him what a wonderful partner she will make. She shows him grace and modesty, and she does not hide her feelings.
My wonderful Daughter, never be coy, never be dishonest, if you are to love you must do so whole-heartedly.
Dear Daughter, you need never worry about being accepted in different company, just be a light in darkness, those who love light and truth will love you.
Cinderella and the Prince dance the night away, he dances only with her. Once again we see that Cinderella is able to cover her lack of training with virtue. To play her part well the female in a dancing pair need not have so much training, but rather she must put her trust in the lead of the male. Is this how she captivated the attention of the Prince? Is this how she stood out among the rest, who sought the Prince for their own gains?
My darling Daughter, when you practice being kind even to your enemies, you will find it easy to follow the lead of those who love you. You can inspire love by your trust.
Cinderella is one of the lucky ones in that she doesn't have to kiss any frogs to find her Prince! The Prince's virtue is on public record; he is in training to be King, he has spent a lifetime preparing for leadership, and therefore she may trust that he is good, and his intentions honourable. He will live his life in the light for all to see and follow, and he will encourage her to do the same. Knowing this, she shows him what a wonderful partner she will make. She shows him grace and modesty, and she does not hide her feelings.
My wonderful Daughter, never be coy, never be dishonest, if you are to love you must do so whole-heartedly.
The hours roll swiftly by, enjoying blissful carefree timelessness with the charming Prince, when suddenly she is stirred to her senses by the clanging of the bell for Midnight. The image of the beautiful dress that turns to rags, the dignified footmen to mere creatures and the coach to a pumpkin, spoiling any lingering chance of getting home safely... Yes certainly the embarrassment of this picture would be motivation enough to race home, but why does the package come with this caveat? Well, who among us having seen our local watering hole at midnight, could argue the danger of those dark hours after midnight? Note the Fairy Godmother does not talk her through the danger, she protects her by keeping her out of harm's way in the first instance.
Dear Daughter, I do not wish to frighten you or betray your innocence by painting the full picture of the world's ugliness, I seek to protect you when I tell you how much more precious than jewels you are.
The lost slipper provides the Prince the opportunity to pursue his beloved, to feel as if he has won the prize. It provides him a taste of her life, of almost-lost hope. And it gives them both gratitude for the other when they are reunited. Cinderella is able to see her worth reflected in his unceasing quest to find her and bring her home.
My sweet darling Daughter, watch what happens when your beloved is tested. Almost everyone has a lovely time at the Ball, when you see him struggle, you will see who he truly is.
And it provides every other woman in the kingdom the chance to prove that they are all WRONG for him! It seems utterly ridiculous to me that EVERY woman is dishonest enough to try on the shoe!! The Prince surely learns through his meetings with these others, what a rare jewel Cinderella is! Let us hope that when we recognise we are not Cinderella to a certain Prince, we may be sensible enough to let him go!!
Dear Daughter, I do not wish to frighten you or betray your innocence by painting the full picture of the world's ugliness, I seek to protect you when I tell you how much more precious than jewels you are.
The lost slipper provides the Prince the opportunity to pursue his beloved, to feel as if he has won the prize. It provides him a taste of her life, of almost-lost hope. And it gives them both gratitude for the other when they are reunited. Cinderella is able to see her worth reflected in his unceasing quest to find her and bring her home.
My sweet darling Daughter, watch what happens when your beloved is tested. Almost everyone has a lovely time at the Ball, when you see him struggle, you will see who he truly is.
And it provides every other woman in the kingdom the chance to prove that they are all WRONG for him! It seems utterly ridiculous to me that EVERY woman is dishonest enough to try on the shoe!! The Prince surely learns through his meetings with these others, what a rare jewel Cinderella is! Let us hope that when we recognise we are not Cinderella to a certain Prince, we may be sensible enough to let him go!!
Dear Daughter, no opportunity will ever pass you by, what's yours is yours, never worry that you will miss out.
There is a reason why these tales endure, it is not just that a bit of magic captures the imagination, it is that every generation feels it has something to teach the one previous. We tell the same stories over and over, not out of monotony but to teach and learn. We cheer when we see Cinderella waving to the throng of her subjects from the castle balcony, as the newly married princess, because her struggle resonates with us. We too aspire, against all odds, to reach the Castle one day.
*It is worth noting that there are many versions of the story, and the new versions are far less gruesome than the original, where the stepsisters cut off parts of their feet at the stepmother's bidding to fit into the shoes, and have their eyes pecked out at the end as punishment for their cruelty. The comments above are based on the newer versions, though the old ones I'm sure are filled with even MORE interesting symbolism!
**It's also worth noting I am just a lay Catholic, an ex-English teacher, with a sociology minor, and a mum with a sweet 8 month old daughter, NOT a theologian.
There is a reason why these tales endure, it is not just that a bit of magic captures the imagination, it is that every generation feels it has something to teach the one previous. We tell the same stories over and over, not out of monotony but to teach and learn. We cheer when we see Cinderella waving to the throng of her subjects from the castle balcony, as the newly married princess, because her struggle resonates with us. We too aspire, against all odds, to reach the Castle one day.
*It is worth noting that there are many versions of the story, and the new versions are far less gruesome than the original, where the stepsisters cut off parts of their feet at the stepmother's bidding to fit into the shoes, and have their eyes pecked out at the end as punishment for their cruelty. The comments above are based on the newer versions, though the old ones I'm sure are filled with even MORE interesting symbolism!
**It's also worth noting I am just a lay Catholic, an ex-English teacher, with a sociology minor, and a mum with a sweet 8 month old daughter, NOT a theologian.
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