Cinderella

Do you remember when and where you first met Cinderella?

That question fetches many answers in 21st century America. But, two problems arise. Many Americans are perpetuating their own cultural myths, simply because they are immigrants here from other cultures. Another complication to the original fairy tale is technology, whether you first became aware of her from television, in the one of the Disney theme parks around the world or in a video game. In that respect, she becomes life imitating magic. Some children may have been lucky enough to have the story read to them.

The universality of the little ash girl who marries a prince is so pervasive in cultures from oral tradition to modern times that it is difficult to ignore. Perhaps the story is psychologically satisfying, especially for women. It provides a ‘rags to riches plot,’ good triumphing over evil and the celebration of the spiritual/financial union of marriage for the woman. Women, through marriage have traditionally had a profound effect on changing the geography and social systems of cultures.

A Fairytale with a long history

If the Cinderella you know as a storybook character or a theme park princess, that Cinderella “Cendrillon ” is based on French author, Charles Perrault, who wrote the piece in 1697 and added the glass slipper. The tale has its roots in the Roman myth of Cupid and Psyche. Psyche also has two older sisters and must endure terrible trials to be united with her beloved “prince,” in this case, Cupid.

Historically, women were vastly challenged in many areas, the focus being the fact that marriage was often a survival factor, and a problem when a father had many daughters. The tale finds its way into a culture’s religious values as well. It may be asked, do religious values find their way into this cultural tale? In Western Culture, the story of Cinderella has been changed. The Church erased any reference to a pagan Roman Myth and depict her as pious and forgiving of her horrible step-sisters.

Prince William of Wales

For royalty, throughout the ages, marriage is an institution. All eyes have now turned to the young Prince of Wales, William. Rumor and paparazzi prevail. And, every woman still marries her “prince.”

The concept of marriage remains, wealth and all good things after marriage and wrong set to right. With more men marrying for financial gain, and gay marriage on the rise, the myth of Cinderella remains socially current, so long as the right person marries the prince(ss). Disney's new film, "Cinderella III: A Twist in Time," directed by Frank Nissen seems aptly named. In an effort to make the tale feel "new," the writers, of which there are five according to the IMdB, offer a reversal of Cinderella's original fortunes. Giving us a "what-if" senario and a new way for her to overcome the same adversity.

History of a Fairy Tale

Cinderella’s U.S. corporate marketing aside, this tale evolves independently in hundreds of cultures and throughout history. The Chinese, Native Americans and the Europeans have taken this story and told it based on that culture’s values. Its belief systems, politics, economics and social status are addressed in much different ways from Charles Perrault and Disney World. “Yeh-Shen,” the Chinese version, may be the earliest known version of the Cinderella story, it is said to predate any western version of the story by almost 1,000 years. The Native American Cinderella theme, “The Rough-Face Girl,” is a story that has remained consistent with the Algonquin Indians for centuries.

What remains constant in each culture’s tale is innocence triumphing over evil by joining with a higher spiritual being. Cinderella marries a prince, who will become king and thus, anointed by God and Church. In “The Rough-faced Girl,” she does ascend this world with a god-like entity. Yeh-Shen passes the princes and simply goes for the king.

In 2005, divorce declined and so did marriage. Many experts agree more couples are simply co-habitating and as a result throwing off the statistics, according to current census. Sources such as major newspapers and TV reporting state that the divorce rate among married couples has declined. There is no doubt that in the U.S. we are experiencing quite a baby-boom in 2007.

All of these little girls are yet to meet Cinderella, let’s hope we are wise enough to preserve the magic for them.