Around the world there are many
different versions of the very popular fairytale “Cinderella.” Each is different in their own unique way, but
each has one major similarity. The motif
of “rags to riches” through magic or marriage is seen in every version of
Cinderella from the Brothers Grimm version, to one of the versions that can be
found in China. Cinderella is considered
to be a “rise tale” which features said motif and in definition means the
rising from poverty to wealth.
The
Brothers Grimm version of “Cinderella” begins with Cinderella’s mother passing
away and her fathers remarrying. The
woman her father marries along with her two daughters treat Cinderella as if
she is their maid and continue to degrade her throughout the beginning of the
story. Thus the rags portion of the
motif can be seen not only literally, but also figuratively as well. The fact that they degrade Cinderella can be
seen as the rich looking down on the poor and believing themselves to be better.
Cinderella
does not reach success nor does she become rich by herself however. In a time of distress she goes to the tree
standing over her mother’s grave and asks for help. She receives this help and is turned into the
woman the prince first falls in love with due to magic. Reaching success or riches with magic is
obviously possible in this fairytale.
However in life it does not usually happen this way. Reaching riches in the human world can be
done, and usually is done through marriage or inheritance. It is not impossible to reach such success
this way and is seen a lot in the real world.
However the way the tale “Cinderella” portrays this is teaching kids
that we need only rely on magic to reach success in life.
The motif
of “rags to riches” with magic is definitely one that can be seen in
Cinderella. However it is not seen in
the every day world. It is more than
possible to reach success and riches through marriage. But if its magic you believe that did the
trick, you make want to take another look.
