For Your Entertainment
There are numerous renditions and adaptations of Cinderella available on the web . Please enjoy my personal selections!
There are numerous renditions and adaptations of Cinderella available on the web . Please enjoy my personal selections!
Michael Jackson- Cinderella Stay Awhile (1975)
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Cinderella movie based on the Brother Grimms' version by Michael Schulz (1989)
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Left: Julie Andrews in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella - CBS-TV Special (1957)
Right: Cinderella - Movie Trailer (1997) [TV Remake Starring Whitney Houston & Brandy |
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Left: Song Clip: "In My Own Little Corner" |
Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA on Broadway (2014) |
Above: Ballet performed by: Ballet de l'Opéra National de Paris Choreography:Rudolf Nureyev (2012)
CINDERELLA
T he classic tale of Cinderella is one that has been around for many years. This fairy tale has been adopted all over the world and still remains prevalent through numerous renditions and adaptations. The story has been recorded and modeled after the infamous versions created by Strabo, Perrault, Brothers Grimm, and many others.
Even if you have not heard the story in a while , you could probably recount the general plot and resolution of the story. A servant is unfairly mistreated and oppressed by her step mother and step sisters. The King is having a ball and the step sisters do everything they can to obstruct Cinderella from going to the ball. Cinderella is instead swamped with chores but ultimately finds her way to the ball. It is universally implied that because she is a person or good nature, and undeserving of her punishment (hence her name) that she receives help from some supernatural or magical force to help her get ready for the ball. Cinderella is transformed from rags to riches, attends the ball, and must depart before midnight, when her magical possessions will wear off. Cinderella loses her slipper in an attempt to flee the ball, after having been courted by the King all day. The King loses her and goes around the city to find the woman who fits the shoe. Miracously, Cinderella is the only one who can fit the shoe, of all the women in the town, and Cinderella becomes a Queen.
The central idea stands that Cinderella, despite her oppression, maintains good spirits and standings. Her hopes and faith for transcendence are fulfilled and Cinderella lives happily ever after.
Variations and twists occur amongst many elements such as the infamous slipper, ethnicity, central characters, names, and many others but generally carry a similar plot, motif, and themes.
STRABO
T he story of Rhodopis (ra-doh-pes) is universally accepted as the earliest variation of the Cinderella fairy tale. The Egyptian version of this tale originated in the first century BC, by the Greek historian, Strabo. Rhodopis is based on a real-life Greek slave, Rhodopis, who married a Pharaoh Amasis, the King of Egypt, and became a queen. The tale is intended as a depiction of real-life history but also contains many fictitious elements that have carried on and been modified in modern variations and renditions of the fairy tale.
Unlike many modern versions of Cinderella, the story of Rhodopis is free from the evil stepmother, absent/deceased father, and deceased mother. Instead Rhodopis acts independently from familial associations. She is a slave to an old man and the other servants are purposed as her antagonists. The slipper for Rhodopis is given to her by her slave owner and not obtained through any magical forces. Unlike modern-day versions, where the slipper is made of glass, Rhodopis’ slipper is soft and rose-red.
Modern day Cinderella stories depict oppression as a result of social class or agency. The antagonists in Rhodopis bare the same position as her. This rejects oppression as a matter of social status. Rhodopis is presented as inferior to the other servants. They, instead of the master, are able to force extra chores upon her, which ultimately is the reason she can’t go to the ball.
The servants use race instead of social status to oppose Rhodopis. Racial inequality and inferiority is made prevalent in the beginning when they tease her about being genetically different than them. This subtly suggests racial discrimination.
Racial discrimination transcends when the servants attempt to persuade the King that he should not marry her because she was a slave, although they are too, and because her hair, eyes, skin, and clothes were “unsuitable”.
The Pharaoh marries her anyway.
CHARLES PERRAULT
I n 1697, Charles Perrault, a French writer, modified and published a tale similar to Rhodopis, Cenderilla or The Glass Slipper (Cinderella). Perrault modified the tale so that it included a fairy godmother, a glass slipper, a pumpkin carriage, and animals as servants.
Perrault’s version of the Cinderella story dramatically differs from Rhodopis. The focus of the story is the most prevalent and drastic change of the novel. Perrault’s version, omits implications of racial discrimination, but maintains the theme of unfair oppression, instead because of social class. The portrayal of enslavement is diluted. Strabo blatantly presents Rhodopis as a slave. In Perrault’s version, the Cinderella is never directly referred to a slave, but the chores, responsibilities, and harsh treatment she incurs implies that she is made a servant to her stepmother and step- sisters.
Rhodopis is envied because of her ability to dance and sing, and because she obtains favor from the master, who buys her shoes. Perrault’s Cinderilla is envied because of good looks and a sweet temper. Perrault, unlike Strabo, puts insight into character which immediately emphasizes morals. Perrault’s Cinderella ultimately triumphs because she is good in character and thus deserves her happy ending. Rhodopis’s happy ending is arranged by the gods, which implies that her happy ending was inevitable.
Instead of the Greek god in Strabo's version who, independently predestines Rhodopis’ fate, Perrault included a fairy god-mother for Cinderilla. Her fairy god mother told her “be but a good girl, and I will contrive that thou shalt go." Cinderella was able to go to the ball not because it was inevitable, but based on merits of her character. She is rewarded.
Random Interludes of Interesting points to Consider
***An interesting contrast could be the focus of envy and how they obtain their ending. In Perrault, Cinderilla is envied because of beauty, but more because of a good temper which she acquires from her deceased mother. Cinderilla must make the conscious decision to maintain this. This is a learned behavior. In Strabo’s version, Rhodopis is envied because of the shoes, more so because of her dancing and singing. Dancing and singing are skills that are not learned but usually embedded. These are skills that are achieved subconsciously and can only dissolve with physical disability or something of that extent.
*** The existence of the god and fairy god mother changes a lot about each tale. The god in Rhodopis is an embodiment of Egyptian culture and beliefs. Thus this story is believable. In Perrault's tale, the existence of fairies and magical forces eliminates the realistic mode of the story. If fairy tales are intended to help children to understand the meaning of life and aid them in development, then they are only beneficial to the underdeveloped child who still believe in magic. Otherwise its disables the balance of wishes and fears, right? The child learns that if he or she is in an unfortunate situation, that fairies, will come to their rescue if they have been good-spirited. But because they are aware are that fairies and magic are unreal. their fears are increased because they are no longer falsely assured but the ideals of fairies and magic.
***Both stories include a negligent or oblivious male overhead, the father and the slave owner. Neither of them are aware or attentive to the Cinderella’s oppression, and hold the influence and authority to change it.
BROTHERS GRIMM
The Brothers Grimm, German writers, published their own version of Cinderella during the 19th century entitled Aschenputtel. Thre brothers maintain a similar plot and motif as those expressed through Perrault and Strabo but there is an important difference in the source of help for the Cinderella and the perspective for which it is seen.
In Aschenputtel, the tale begins with the death of the Cinderella’s mother. Cinderella's father is present in her life while she experience misfortune. Her father is aware of her mistreatment but the Brothers Grimm never give any insight on action or response of the father. Thus, the relationship of the father is ambiguous.
This version, of the many seems to be the most complex and lacking of the all positive and romantic elements usually associated with fairy tales. In Brothers Grimm version, themes of death, neglect, and violence exist simultaneously.
CINDERELLA
T he classic tale of Cinderella is one that has been around for many years. This fairy tale has been adopted all over the world and still remains prevalent through numerous renditions and adaptations. The story has been recorded and modeled after the infamous versions created by Strabo, Perrault, Brothers Grimm, and many others.
Even if you have not heard the story in a while , you could probably recount the general plot and resolution of the story. A servant is unfairly mistreated and oppressed by her step mother and step sisters. The King is having a ball and the step sisters do everything they can to obstruct Cinderella from going to the ball. Cinderella is instead swamped with chores but ultimately finds her way to the ball. It is universally implied that because she is a person or good nature, and undeserving of her punishment (hence her name) that she receives help from some supernatural or magical force to help her get ready for the ball. Cinderella is transformed from rags to riches, attends the ball, and must depart before midnight, when her magical possessions will wear off. Cinderella loses her slipper in an attempt to flee the ball, after having been courted by the King all day. The King loses her and goes around the city to find the woman who fits the shoe. Miracously, Cinderella is the only one who can fit the shoe, of all the women in the town, and Cinderella becomes a Queen.
The central idea stands that Cinderella, despite her oppression, maintains good spirits and standings. Her hopes and faith for transcendence are fulfilled and Cinderella lives happily ever after.
Variations and twists occur amongst many elements such as the infamous slipper, ethnicity, central characters, names, and many others but generally carry a similar plot, motif, and themes.
STRABO
T he story of Rhodopis (ra-doh-pes) is universally accepted as the earliest variation of the Cinderella fairy tale. The Egyptian version of this tale originated in the first century BC, by the Greek historian, Strabo. Rhodopis is based on a real-life Greek slave, Rhodopis, who married a Pharaoh Amasis, the King of Egypt, and became a queen. The tale is intended as a depiction of real-life history but also contains many fictitious elements that have carried on and been modified in modern variations and renditions of the fairy tale.
Unlike many modern versions of Cinderella, the story of Rhodopis is free from the evil stepmother, absent/deceased father, and deceased mother. Instead Rhodopis acts independently from familial associations. She is a slave to an old man and the other servants are purposed as her antagonists. The slipper for Rhodopis is given to her by her slave owner and not obtained through any magical forces. Unlike modern-day versions, where the slipper is made of glass, Rhodopis’ slipper is soft and rose-red.
Modern day Cinderella stories depict oppression as a result of social class or agency. The antagonists in Rhodopis bare the same position as her. This rejects oppression as a matter of social status. Rhodopis is presented as inferior to the other servants. They, instead of the master, are able to force extra chores upon her, which ultimately is the reason she can’t go to the ball.
The servants use race instead of social status to oppose Rhodopis. Racial inequality and inferiority is made prevalent in the beginning when they tease her about being genetically different than them. This subtly suggests racial discrimination.
Racial discrimination transcends when the servants attempt to persuade the King that he should not marry her because she was a slave, although they are too, and because her hair, eyes, skin, and clothes were “unsuitable”.
The Pharaoh marries her anyway.
CHARLES PERRAULT
I n 1697, Charles Perrault, a French writer, modified and published a tale similar to Rhodopis, Cenderilla or The Glass Slipper (Cinderella). Perrault modified the tale so that it included a fairy godmother, a glass slipper, a pumpkin carriage, and animals as servants.
Perrault’s version of the Cinderella story dramatically differs from Rhodopis. The focus of the story is the most prevalent and drastic change of the novel. Perrault’s version, omits implications of racial discrimination, but maintains the theme of unfair oppression, instead because of social class. The portrayal of enslavement is diluted. Strabo blatantly presents Rhodopis as a slave. In Perrault’s version, the Cinderella is never directly referred to a slave, but the chores, responsibilities, and harsh treatment she incurs implies that she is made a servant to her stepmother and step- sisters.
Rhodopis is envied because of her ability to dance and sing, and because she obtains favor from the master, who buys her shoes. Perrault’s Cinderilla is envied because of good looks and a sweet temper. Perrault, unlike Strabo, puts insight into character which immediately emphasizes morals. Perrault’s Cinderella ultimately triumphs because she is good in character and thus deserves her happy ending. Rhodopis’s happy ending is arranged by the gods, which implies that her happy ending was inevitable.
Instead of the Greek god in Strabo's version who, independently predestines Rhodopis’ fate, Perrault included a fairy god-mother for Cinderilla. Her fairy god mother told her “be but a good girl, and I will contrive that thou shalt go." Cinderella was able to go to the ball not because it was inevitable, but based on merits of her character. She is rewarded.
Random Interludes of Interesting points to Consider
***An interesting contrast could be the focus of envy and how they obtain their ending. In Perrault, Cinderilla is envied because of beauty, but more because of a good temper which she acquires from her deceased mother. Cinderilla must make the conscious decision to maintain this. This is a learned behavior. In Strabo’s version, Rhodopis is envied because of the shoes, more so because of her dancing and singing. Dancing and singing are skills that are not learned but usually embedded. These are skills that are achieved subconsciously and can only dissolve with physical disability or something of that extent.
*** The existence of the god and fairy god mother changes a lot about each tale. The god in Rhodopis is an embodiment of Egyptian culture and beliefs. Thus this story is believable. In Perrault's tale, the existence of fairies and magical forces eliminates the realistic mode of the story. If fairy tales are intended to help children to understand the meaning of life and aid them in development, then they are only beneficial to the underdeveloped child who still believe in magic. Otherwise its disables the balance of wishes and fears, right? The child learns that if he or she is in an unfortunate situation, that fairies, will come to their rescue if they have been good-spirited. But because they are aware are that fairies and magic are unreal. their fears are increased because they are no longer falsely assured but the ideals of fairies and magic.
***Both stories include a negligent or oblivious male overhead, the father and the slave owner. Neither of them are aware or attentive to the Cinderella’s oppression, and hold the influence and authority to change it.
BROTHERS GRIMM
The Brothers Grimm, German writers, published their own version of Cinderella during the 19th century entitled Aschenputtel. Thre brothers maintain a similar plot and motif as those expressed through Perrault and Strabo but there is an important difference in the source of help for the Cinderella and the perspective for which it is seen.
In Aschenputtel, the tale begins with the death of the Cinderella’s mother. Cinderella's father is present in her life while she experience misfortune. Her father is aware of her mistreatment but the Brothers Grimm never give any insight on action or response of the father. Thus, the relationship of the father is ambiguous.
This version, of the many seems to be the most complex and lacking of the all positive and romantic elements usually associated with fairy tales. In Brothers Grimm version, themes of death, neglect, and violence exist simultaneously.