Whether we think of Disney’s blonde beauty and her pumpkin carriage or Marissa Meyer’s recent recasting of Cinderella as a cyborg in the young adult novel
Cinder,
we know that there are countless old and modern retellings of the tale. My favorite version of the tale is by Grimm Brothers. If the tale seems to emphasize the lowly status of Cinderella as a
servant in her stepmother’s house, it is worth remembering that
Cinderella is a boss of her own: she commands birds to sort the
lentils her stepmother has thrown into the ashes, and when she needs
lovely clothes for the ball, she tells a hazel tree, “Shake your
branches, little tree, / Toss gold and silver down on me.” Doves are her partners, and when the stepsisters take knives to their feet in
order to fit into Cinderella’s slipper, the birds warn the prince:
“Roo coo coo, roo coo coo, / Blood’s in the shoe.” Cinderella isn't just the entrepreneur, she is a perfect example of 'rags to riches' and that's why she is my hero.
So long my friends,
Evalina
Cinderella was one of my favourite fairy tales when I was a wee girl.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Cinder! One of my favorite books right now. And the sequels are great too! :)
ReplyDelete@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary - Epics from A to Z
MopDog - 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
I really liked how you presented the empowered part of Cinderella... she sure was the Boss to the other creatures that surrounded her.
ReplyDeleteLove this story Evalina.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Great short and to the point post. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Grimm's fairy tales. I've never been a fan of the sugar-coated, Disney variety. And I also love how you've cast Cinderella in the light of a powerful woman. Perfect! Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting! Enjoy the challenge :)
ReplyDeleteI love that your new A to Z challenge is about your heros - and females at that. Cinderella is a classic in so many way. My granddaughter's name is Ella - I'm hoping she has the spunk without the cinders.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteThe various versions of Cinderella do make for interesting reading. Somehow, I don't think I've managed to read the Grimm version yet.
ReplyDeleteI really want to read the Grimm Brothers versions. I believe the sisters actually cut their toes off so they can fit the slipper... We've made it slightly more child-friendly these days :-)
ReplyDeleteAnnalisa, writing A-Z vignettes, at Wake Up, Eat, Write, Sleep
Love your take on this Evalina. I like the Grimm version too. I have yet to read Cinder, but it's on my reading pile so hopefully it won't be too long now. And in the meantime, here's to empowered women creating lives they love.
ReplyDeleteI love that picture you have chosen to illustrate this post. Is it Arthur Rackham?
ReplyDeleteI think you would like this blog I follow all about fairy tales http://surlalunefairytales.blogspot.co.uk/
The Grimm versions don't hold back, but I do love the Disney Cinderella movie! I can't help it!
ReplyDeletePrecious Monsters
I am a fan of the old school, not the remakes, redos or live action... Welcome in the "C"... thank you!
ReplyDeleteJeremy [Retro]
AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]
There's no earthly way of knowing.
Which direction we are going!
HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood... is Nuts?
Loved this post - really interesting. I'm enjoying the A-Z-ing so far - good fun (I'm number 590 on the list)
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how many cultures have Cinderella tales!
ReplyDeleteMany of the Grimm fairy tales are much darker than the newer Disneyfied versions. The "rags to riches" tale seems to have remained extremely popular over time.
ReplyDeleteOh yes I see why you chose Cinders as a hero.... I agree!
ReplyDeleteRags to riches indeed!!
Smiles :)
What a great idea for your A-Z posting :)
ReplyDeleteI always love the Cinderella story as a kid
Hugs xx
Love Cendrillon, glad to have this free monday to follow your A-Z post. Hugs
ReplyDeleteCinderella for C - wonderfully put. The Grimm version's a bit too dark for me. I love CSI but people cutting their toes off to fit a shoe in a fairytale? I'll go for the lighter version anytime.
ReplyDelete