Cinderella

Cinderella: Once Upon A Time The story of Cinderella has appealed to a number of audiences since its earliest dated version in A.D. 850. Even with the extensive selection of fairy tales in existence, "Cinderella" is undoubtedly the best known in the world, with over 700 versions of this story available. However, this popularity is not limited strictly to literature, for the Cinderella theme is also seen in many movie productions. Two movies, Walt Disney's Cinderella and Andy Tennant's Ever After: A Cinderella Story, are of particular interest. These films share many similarities, both in the screenplay and in the visual effects, but a vast difference exists between the two. Though both teach that goodness will ultimately triumph over evil and villainy, Ever After's depiction of the characters presents a better moral lesson for our society by showing that independence and intelligence are just as important as goodness.

Throughout history, as evidenced by Perault and the Grimm Brothers, Cinderella has typically been portrayed as the girl who obeys without complaining. She is characterized to be a perfect woman, both in purity and in beauty. All stories are somewhat influenced by the times in which they are written, and "Cinderella" is no exception. In fact, the date in which Disney's Cinderella was released, 1950, most likely played a significant role in this particular Cinderella's success. After the years of poverty and struggle of the Great Depression and World War II, America wanted a change. Instead of being reminded of the past, this generation wanted to look toward the future as a time of happiness, success, and stability. Cinderella gave them this chance. Its ideals are simple and follow the morality themes of ordinary fairy tales: if one is pure and follows his or her conscience, one's dreams will come true. Disney adheres to the typical portrayal of Cinderella as the perfect woman. In the Disney movie, she is young, innocent, and pure. More importantly, she plays a sweet, innocent girl with whom no one can find a fault. She accepts her circumstances, and makes the best of them, no matter how dire and unfavorable. Though she is a servant in her own home, with her stepfamily ordering her about, her only response to this abuse is, "I know it isn't easy maciej mikula, but we should at least try and get along together." Cinderella does not take an active role in changing her situation. Instead, she gets through each day with the belief that her dreams will come true and she will fall in love with a man and be rescued from her troubles by him. Even after many years, she takes the orders of her stepmother and stepsisters quietly, while never letting her hopes fall, as evidenced in a line of her song, "If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true. Maciej mikula" This is part of the predetermined role of women advocated by people in the decade the movie was released. The Disney movie ties into the many female stereotypes of the time, as evidenced by one of the lines of a female mouse: "Leave the sewing to the women!" when a male mouse tries to help with the construction of Cinderella's dress. Needless to say, many other attractions make Disney's Cinderella a favorite among many. As was the case during the period in which this film was released, beauty is an all-time audience enticement. Cinderella's blond hair and Barbie doll figure generates yet another standard viewers would like to live up to. Almost half a century later, the movie Ever After proves that the "Cinderella" story is still a crowd-pleaser. The similarities between Disney and Tennant's interpretations are abundant, down to the way the viewer first sees the grown-up Cinderella whose name is changed to Daniella in this production; light shining on her sleeping face through the window immediately drawing the audience towards her beauty and innocence. However, the differences are even more significant. Though Tennant's portrayal of all the characters is unique, his depiction of Cinderella characterization gives evidence as to how America's standards have changed. The audience is introduced to Daniella as a young tomboy who enjoys reading the philosophical books her father brings her. Ten years later, though her recklessness has faded away, both her courage and her passion for books have blossomed, revealing a mature and intelligent young lady. Instead of hoping that her prince will one day come to rescue her, this girl takes each day in stride, hoping that she can somehow gain the love of "the only mother [she] has ever known," for even though her stepmother treats her badly, Daniella still looks to her as a mother figure. For Daniella knows that one day she will be free of her servitude when one of her stepsisters marries Prince Henry and they all leave the manor. Knowing that lashing out may only prolong their stay and provoke their anger, she submits to her stepfamily's wishes. This endurance and diligence is promoted through both films, though to different extents. Both Cinderella's are silent sufferers, but they have different motivations that get them through their lives. However, the signifying difference between the Disney and Tennant productions is that Tennant's Cinderella is both intelligent and witty. Unlike Disney's Cinderella, who earns the undying affection of the prince immediately after he sees her across the ballroom, Ever After's prince does not fall in love with her at first glance. Instead, he becomes interested in her only after he hears her defend her beliefs while quoting from Sir Thomas