Cinderella-A fairytale history

The origins of Cinderella are as numerous as the versions of Cinderella; however, most sources agree the first Cinderella story was recorded by the Greek historian Strabo entitled “Rhodopis” originated in Egypt and was written by Herodotus. In this Egyptian tale Rhodopis, a beautiful young woman, was bathing one day an eagle swooped down and stole her sandal dropping it in the lap of king in Memphis. He was so smitten by the “beautiful shape of the sandal and the strangeness of the occurrence,” he had his men seek her out (Tatar 146). She was then brought before him, became his wife, and when she died she was held in much honor. Some version of Cinderella can be found in almost every culture and country in the world, in fact, according to the Sur La Lune Fairy Tales website, “Sources disagree about how many versions of the tale exist, with numbers conservatively ranging from 345 to over 1,500” (Heiner). 

          Another version of Cinderella is found in ancient Chinese culture was entitled Yeh-Shen which was believed to be written in 856-860 A.D. (Heiner). In 1697 Charles Perrault published a collection of stories which included Cinderella or The Glass Slipper

upon which many people have based their idea of Cinderella. Perrault introduced the pumpkin coach, the fairy godmother, and the infamous glass slippers. His influence on this fairytale still has an impact on the modern interpretations presents in movies, poetry, and art. “His fairy godmother, pumpkin carriage, and glass slippers have inspired countless renditions of the tale in print, theatre, music, and art since its publication” (Heiner). In this story of Cinderella, she is very docile and compliant observing all the social graces expected of young people in Perrault’s period of history. Cinderella even forgives her step sisters for all the ill treatment they heaped upon her and forms matches to prominent husbands for her step sisters.

          The Brothers Grimm tale of Cinderella was published in 1812 and is quite a deviation from the happily ever after version submitted by Perrault. The name Aschenputtel or Cinderella in this German story was derived from the prefix “aschen-“ which implies that this character was a sibling who was denigrated into a subservient position within the household (Tartar 119). In their Cinderella, the main character is “the quintessential innocent, persecuted heroine who moves from rags and a state of squalor to riches” (Tartar 119). In the end however, Cinderella has her revenge when the step sister have their eyes pecked out by birds upon entering and exiting the church where Cinderella is married.

          Since these two definitive adaptations of the story were published countless versions have been created in countries and cultures throughout the world. Another turning point in the development of this fairytale was Walt Disney’s movie version in 1950. Disney interpreted the story more from the Perrault version rather than the Grimm.  In his version of Cinderella, Disney wanted audiences to be entertained and be able to relate to in a personal way. He had many struggles in his life and career and many people felt he related to fairytales and the characters of fairytales because of that fact. Ilene Woods, who voiced and sand as Cinderella in Disney’s 1950 movie, shared this about Walt’s feelings about the fairytale of Cinderella: "I think it was the rags-to-riches tale," she speculated. "Of course, then I didn't know how many times Walt had risked it all to realize his dreams” (Susman). In a line from the movie, the character of Cinderella sums it up, “No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.” – Cinderella (Ohmydisney).

            A common thread in the various Cinderella stories is a young orphaned girl in a desperate situation, an evil antagonist, and an opportunity to escape from her dreary daily existence through the clever use of wit, magic, and a piece of life transforming clothing. Since so many versions and adaptations of this fairy tale exist there are two different classifications given on the Aarne-Thompson-Uther index; AT510A Cinderella, and AT510B The Dress of Gold, Silver, and of Stars. The AT510A category is more closely related to the Charles Perrault version which most readers are familiar and comfortable in which the orphaned Cinderella endures mistreatment by her step-mother and step-sisters, but eventually overcomes her situation via a perfect fitting slipper. In contrast the AT510B category is dominated by versions that emphasize a tale with Oedipal influences and murderous plots by the step-mother. Is it any wonder that this fairytale has been told, retold, and imagined into almost every art form possible?

          Modern versions of this tale range from a television series featuring the characters, Once Upon a Time; a musical by Stephen Sodheim, Into the Woods; Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical for television; the movie Mary Poppins with Julie Andrews; and numerous television and movie versions that followed. Yet another version of this tale is Ella Enchanted starring Anne Hathaway was a version I did enjoy because this Cinderella was rather rebellious by wanting to make her own decisions and control her own destiny even though she was controlled by a magic spell of obedience. This was a refreshing change from the ever docile and compliant version of Perrault. Another film I would mention for the sake of the fairytale aspect is Ever After starring Drew Barrymore, while this film may not have been the best received, I think some aspects of the film are worth discussion. The character of Cinderella is head strong, stands up for herself and others she feels are being abused, and attempts to live her life with a positive attitude, which are behaviors I think we could all emulate. So many versions of this fairytale have been produced most people could find one of their own to enjoy and feel a connection. That is the beauty of this fairytale.

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography

 

 

"Cinderella." Cinderella. New World Encyclopedia, 22 Feb. 2017. Web. 03 Apr. 2017. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Cinderella&oldid=1003425>

 

Heiner, Hedi Anne. "Annotations for Cinderella." Www.sulalunefairytales.com. Hedi        Anne Heiner, 2 July 2007. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.           <http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/cinderella/notes.html>.

 

Holmes, Linda. "A Girl, A Shoe, A Prince: The Endlessly Evolving Cinderella." NPR. NPR,          13 Mar. 2015. Web. 15 Apr. 2017.           <http://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2015/03/13/392358854/a-girl-a-shoe-         a-prince-the-endlessly-evolving-cinderella>.

 

"The 15 Most Important Disney Quotes, According to You."           https://ohmy.disney.com/movies/2014/11/28/the-15-most-important-disney-     quotes-according-to-you/. Disney, n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2017.           <https://ohmy.disney.com/movies/2014/11/27/its-been-exactly-a-year-since-     frozen-melted-our-hearts/>.

 

Johnson, Virginia. "Once Upon a Time with Charles Perrault." Once Upon a Time with    Charles Perrault. Central Rappahannock Regional Library, n.d. Web. 03 Apr.         2017. <http://www.librarypoint.org/once_upon_a_time_with_charles_perrault>.

 

Susman, Gary. "25 Things You Never Knew About Disney's 'Cinderella'." AOL Moviefone.           Moviefone, 15 Feb. 2015. Web. 15 Apr. 2017.           <https://www.moviefone.com/2015/02/15/disney-cinderella-facts/>.