Cinderella...cover page

This title page points out the key symbols that many people take away from the story of Cinderella. The clock striking Midnight, Cinderella herself in a fancy head dress, and the glass slipper. Through these three elements the reader has a glimpse to see how each of the aspects will work together in the story of Cinderella. Even though varying versions of Cinderella include these elements some choose not to. The glass slipper or a shoe in general is usually a known key symbol that the audience should take away from the tale. As we discussed in class the perfect fit and having only one person be that perfect fit is a concept that many readers of Cinderella walk away with confidence knowing that someone out there in the world will be there perfect fit and everything will be happily ever after. There is also the fact that since Cinderella is such a good girl that she is given this fancy ball gown to where to the ball in order to impress the prince who then ends up searching for her. A part of Cinderella being a good girl is that she must follow directions such as making sure she leaves the ball by the stroke of midnight or else her dress will turn to rags and the carriage will become a pumpkin once again. Each of these pieces just show the reader what they are in store for when beginning the tale of Cinderella.

Promp #5: Cinderella

In class today, we discussed what makes up a typical Cinderella story. I chose the following illustrations to talk about because I really like how it takes so many aspects of the story and puts them into one picture. Also, the placement of all these aspects seems important. First, towards the back is the fireplace, which represents the servant life that she leaves behind. Front and center is the glass slipper surrounded by horns which, as far as we know, is the most recent part in Cinderella's life. Also, Cinderella's animal helpers, the pumpkin that turns into her carriage, and the element of time are all included at the top of the image. This shows how these are parts of the story, but they are not the most important seeing as they are outside of the stage. The fairy godmother is placed across from Cinderella to show how her character is key in the happy ending for Cinderella. Cinderella is depicted as pretty, but by the way she's sitting she seems rather shy. On the stage border, there are three faces, I think that the bottom and top faces represent the stepmother and stepsisters who make fun of Cinderella and make her life difficult. Meanwhile, the middle one represents the Prince and father who are the dreamy male figures in Cinderellas life.

Assignment 5

As an art history major, I was interested in selecting an image of Cinderella to consider in light of our class discussion. I picked Elenore Abbott’s illustration from a collection of Grimm’s tales (http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/illustrations/cinderella/abbottcindy.html). The scene that is captured by Abbott is when “Cinderella went to her mother’s grave beneath the hazel tree and cried out: ‘shake and wobble, little tree! Let gold and silver fall all over me.” (Grimm 81)

What struck me about the image was its overt references to Cinderella’s piety. She kneels at the tree with her hands folded, looking up to a higher power with closed eyes, as if she was in prayer. The shadow of the birds’ path also encircles Cinderella like a giant halo, alluding to her morality and angelic goodness. Furthermore, the birds seem to be represented as white doves. They hold religious undertones, as the Holy Spirit is articulated by white doves throughout the history of art. The gold aura at Cinderella’s knees is also an interesting aspect of the image. Because she is kneeling at her mother’s grave, this seems to represent the spirit of her mother in all its grandeur and goodness. In total, the image reflects what we discussed in class today in light of the Grimm version- the pious and moral Cinderella being protected by her mother from beyond the grave.

Assignment 5- 24.Feb 2009

Hi Mallory, Erica, Keith and Anna,

Here is the assignment for this week.

Look through the websites suggested below and find a version of Cinderella or even an illustration of her, that has not been talked about in class as yet.

1. D. L. Ashliman's folktale site:
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0510a.html

2. the Sur La Lune fairy tale site:
http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/

3. the Cinderella Project at the Univ. of Mississippi:
http://www.usm.edu/english/fairytales/cinderella/cinderella.html

Having selected the story/illustration, you are to elaborate on the reason you picked that particular story/illustration.

You could talk about how the story is different from what you have read so far and how these differences could be interesting in the light of our current discussions in class.

If you have selected an illustration, mention what about it grabbed you, what about it is different from other illustrations known to you and whether it contradicts or proves any of what we have discussed in class so far.

Posts are to be sent in by Midnight on Tuesday and comments to a minimum of two other posts are to be in by Midnight on Wednesday.