Cinderella

The Salvation of Cinderella: Moral Character and Virtue

Two entirely different versions of the same basic theme show that gender norms and social roles remain relatively constant and consistent across cultures. The Disney version of the "Cinderella" story, which was originally a European folk tale, is about a girl who lives with her mean old stepmother and step sisters, who work Cinderella like a slave and treat her terribly. Cinderella eventually gets her comeuppance, when with the help of a fairy, the prince chooses her for his wife. They live happily ever after. The same tale is told from an African perspective in "The Maiden, the Frog, and the Chief's Son." A girl lives with her stepmother and step sister, who work the girl like a slave. Though the intervention of magical frogs, the girl wins over the heart of the local prince and they live happily ever after....
[ View Full Essay]