Cinderella: I'm reading an older version from Gutenberg.
The mother dies and tells her daughter, “My child, always be good, and bear everything that occurs to you with patience; then, whatever toil and troubles you may suffer during life, happiness will be your lot in the end.” This was a common way to communicate. This was some time during the Middle Ages, right? Basically the good dying parent telling the child to 'be good'.
I like the premise of the story, and am guessing it's popular throughout the ages because of this premise; and that is that many girls 'suffer' in their homes, and can't go out alone into the world for some reason. Usually it was very dangerous for a young girl on her own without protection from a father/husband/brother in her life. They'd be taken advantage of by cads or worse. Leaving the protection of home was a great risk. In this version, she is living with her father and his new family but she doesn't tell her father what is happening to her. It says he was so governed by his new wife he wouldn't believe her and would scold her; so she kept quiet. Interesting. Going back to my premise, Cinderella was not treated well by her stepmother because Cinderella was more amiable, charming and beatiful than her own daughters. She was told to do "degrading" chores and to sleep in the garret--basically treated like a servant girl instead of the daughter. The suffering that C had to go through is the reason of the popularity of the story. So many girls IRL relate to this. And especially, I think, the girl who is sensitive and tender-hearted, feels for C and what she is going through. It is C's personality that shines through to the sensitve 'suffering' reader . A story that one goes back to again and again. Hoping that their turn will come -- not necessarily rescued by a man for marriage, but a chance at getting out of suffering and into a brighter future.
Another point is C's forgiving nature. She is not bitter because of her lot. Her nature is to help her step sisters -- for ex helping them before the ball with their hair and dresses, styling them. It says, "If Cinderella had been at all unamiable she might have dressed their heads all awry, for such unkindness; but she returned good for evil, and did it in the best possible style." It is inspirational. Encouraging.
C is generous, even when most poor. After they leave for the ball, she is crying and hears a knock on the door. An old woman asks for some food. She invites her in to share her dry bread. One can't but admire her character.
Interesting, the fairy godmother was talked about by her father many times. He said that she takes care of good children. haha..
At the ball: "Seated close to her sisters, Cinderella showed them marked attention, and divided with them the oranges and citrons which the prince had given her;" another example of her thoughtful forgiving nature.
Javotte is the name of one of the step sisters
"She was most happy in the love of her husband, the esteem of the court, and the good-will of all who knew her."
THE END
