Topic > Different Versions of Cinderella: Cultural Perspectives of Cinderella

IndexIntroductionCultural Themes in Different Versions of CinderellaDifferent Narratives of CinderellaTelling and Showing in Cultural InterpretationsConclusionReferencesIntroductionFrom France, Charles Perrault's version of “Cinderella” follows the same theme as the different versions of Cinderella In around the world. The theme presents the triumph of good over evil. The common character in these Cinderella stories is a young woman who turns out to be a victim of fate and who then emerges as the heroine of the story due to her goodness and innocence. It is similar to a character who comes from rags to riches. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Cultural Themes in Different Versions of Cinderella Charles Perrault's version of "Cinderella" had magical elements of a fairy godmother transforming her ragged clothes into a beautiful gown, a pumpkin to a carriage, and animals transformed into servants; and then magically returned to their form when the clock struck midnight. The "Cinderella Around the World" flyer presented that some of the Cinderella stories such as the Chinese Yeh-Shen one had some magical elements such as an old man who told her to collect fish bones and make a wish that granted her a beautiful dress and golden slippers . Cinderella married the prince and Yeh-Shen married the king. Cinderella forgave her evil stepmother and her stepsisters while Yeh-Shen punishes her stepmother and stepsisters and the villagers stoned them to death. The North American version of "The Rough Face Girl" involved a girl who had her face burned due to the actions of her older sisters. Unlike the prince in Cinderella, the boss of the story was invisible and showed himself to the rough-faced girl only because his heart was pure and honest. Her beauty was restored when she bathed in a lake and married the chief. Plot almost similar to Cinderella story, but Cinderella was already beautiful from the beginning. The African story of “Chinye” does not focus on marrying a prince. Chinye's stepsister stole the biggest pumpkin because she thought it contained the biggest treasure. Instead, when the stepsister opened the pumpkin, a great storm broke out. It was quite tragic because Chinye's in-law family had to leave the village while Chinye stayed and shared her treasures. This was a different twist than Cinderella because instead of the wealth that came from marrying into the royal family, the wealth came from the smaller, quieter pumpkin. Another king of Africa, "Nyasha's", was the magical serpent, a hungry boy and an old woman he met on his journey. The English version of "Tattercoats" involved an evil grandfather instead of a stepmother. The poor boy with whom Tattercoats went to the castle was the one who chose the girl for the prince. Rags went to the castle in tattered clothes and was laughed at, unlike Cinderella who went to the castle in beautiful dresses. The German story of “Ash Girl” was less forgiving than the Cinderella character. Instead of a godmother, the magic came from a white dove. The stepsisters went blind because they were pecked at by birds, unlike Cinderella who forgave her stepsister. Different Narratives of Cinderella I would like children to see a similar theme by showing elements of the stories of different versions of Cinderella around the world. The theme is that good conquers evil. For example, Cinderella married the prince because of his honesty and innocence. Yeh-Shen married the king even though her stepsisters tried to deceive her. The Rough-faced Girl married the chief with her heartpure and his honesty. Chinye ended up sharing his wealth to help the village. In Perrault's fairy tale, Cinderella was a slave and was mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. Cinderella wanted to go to a ball her stepsisters are attending, so her fairy godmother makes Cinderella a beautiful princess. Cinderella must be home at midnight before the spell wears off. A prince tracks down the wearer's slipper and finds Cinderella. Cinderella forgives her stepmother and stepsisters for their mistakes. In the show Cinderella Eats Rice and Beans, Cenicienta is from Puerto Rico and is visiting the United States to learn English. When Rosa and her friend are in class, Cenicienta speaks only Spanish and Rosa speaks only English. Rosa insulted Cenicienta by saying that her name was Cinderella. Rosa is jealous of Cenicienta for her talent and availability. Rosa was angry with herself and asked for help. Her fairy godfather helped Rosa change her appearance like Cenicienta. They go to the basketball game and then they get into a basketball chemistry situation. After they happen, Cenicienta changes Rosa's life compared to the past. A Korean Cinderella, Kongji as Cinderella, was a slave for her family and Patji and her stepmother prevented her from participating in the Mask Dance Festival. Kongji received unexpected help from the animals and his mother. Telling and Showing in Cultural Interpretations In the Korean storybook of Cinderella, Omoni forced the poor girl to perform tasks within time limits; if Pear Blossom didn't complete the task, she would be thrown out. Fortunately, magical creatures in the form of animals came to his aid several times. In Honolulu Theater for Youth's Korean Cinderella, Kongji longs to go to a masquerade ball, but her stepmother gives her an impossible list of tasks to complete before she can attend the ball. Fortunately, Kongji received unexpected help from the animals and his mother. It is always good to have multiple interests for children, some may not attract engagement in the narrative mode, but they are very much related to the presentation mode. In this show, Kongji was tormented by her new stepmother and stepsister, and treated like their maid. They would give her impossible tasks and threaten to punish her if she did not succeed. As for the culture, I found it interesting instead that a fairy godmother Kongji was protected by magical animals such as a frog, sparrows and an ox sent by her father, then followed by her mother's ghost to give her the advice she needed. The show interacted with children and mainly focused on comedic effect. Cenicienta overcomes her stepsister's torment with the kindness of her heart. As for the second part, in this fairy tale instead of following a single culture it is multicultural, as well as bilingual. By the end of the show Cenicienta had befriended Rosa, her half-sister who had tormented her, as well as the added twist of the fairy godfather. Finally, on the show the cast often interacts with the audience and places the set in a recognizable place, the school. When Kangji stood up for herself against her evil stepmother and stepsister, her personality transformed into herself, even though she was still shy, then she was confident, courageous and held herself in high regard. When it comes to “Cinderella Eats Rice and Beans,” towards the end Rosa ends up being the one who captures the “fairy godfather” and pits the two of them, Rosa and Cenicienta, against each other. Rosa then cheats to win and Cenicienta finally defends herself. I feel they effectively developed the characters by giving them the courage to defend themselves from cruelty. Here.