Speaker
Description
The presentation explores the evolution of the fairytale “Cinderella” from its origin to modern interpretations. It begins with an overview of potential origins, highlighting mediaeval precursors and legends that have similar elements to the Cinderella story. Despite much research conducted on the topic, the origins of the fairytale cannot be clearly defined. The reason for that is that the fairytale integrates various narratives. There are two main types of stories that form the fairytale “Cinderella”. The first type features children who are mistreated by their stepmothers but find help from animals. The second type of narratives involves the motif of the lost shoe which comes from an ancient story about Rhodopis. Additionally, the Chinese version of Cinderella introduces another popular motif, namely the magical animal that helps the heroine. Also, the tiny foot of Cinderella originates from Chinese culture, and represents high social status, symbolising elegance and beauty. Furthermore, the presentation discusses the first written Cinderella story from the Italian Author Giambattista Basile and the contrasting versions from the Brothers Grimm and from Charles Perrault. There are many differences to be found between the two adaptations such as the portrayal of the main character, the nature of the helper figure and the ending. The glass slipper motif in Perrault’s version sparks controversy. Some researchers claim that Perrault misunderstood the word for fur with glass when he heard the story in French. Overall, Perrault’s adaptation tends to be more child-friendly because it excludes the moments of violence which are present in the German story. The presentation concludes with a modern interpretation of the Cinderella story in the novel “Just Ella” from Margaret Peterson Haddix. The novel shows a different perspective of the story, focusing on the independence of the heroine. Through these modern interpretations, Cinderella inspires new generations and conveys its timeless messages.
