Cinderella Notes and Lecture Review

Cinderella or the Little Glass Slipper by Charles Peralute

• A man remarries a haughty woman with two daughters.

• His daughter from his first marriage is kind and sweet-natured, like her late mother.

• The stepmother favors her own daughters and mistreats Cinderella.

• Cinderella is given all the housework, sleeps in a garret, and is nicknamed "Cinder Britches." The younger sister softens this to "Cinderella."

• Despite her circumstances, Cinderella is far more beautiful than her stepsisters, no matter how they dress.

The King's Ball

• The king's son holds a ball, inviting the aristocracy, including Cinderella's stepsisters.

• The stepsisters are excited and busy preparing, increasing Cinderella's workload.

• They discuss their dresses and jewelry, seeking Cinderella's advice, though they mock her desire to attend the ball.

• Cinderella resists the urge to sabotage their preparations despite their spiteful comments.

• The stepsisters are excessively concerned with their appearance, tightening their corsets and primping in front of the mirror.

Cinderella's Fairy Godmother

• Cinderella cries after her stepsisters leave for the ball; her fairy godmother appears and offers to help her attend.

• The godmother asks Cinderella to fetch a pumpkin, which she transforms into a golden coach with a strike of her ring.

• Six mice are turned into carriage horses, a rat into a coachman, and six lizards into footmen.

• Cinderella's rags are transformed into a dress of gold and silver, and she receives glass slippers.

• The godmother warns Cinderella to return by midnight, or the transformations will reverse.

Cinderella at the Ball

• The prince is informed about the arrival of a previously unknown princess.

• He greets Cinderella and leads her into the ballroom, where her beauty stuns everyone.

• The prince seats her in the most honored place and dances with her, captivated by her grace.

• Cinderella shares oranges and lemons given to her by the prince with her stepsisters, who do not recognize her.

• Hearing the clock chime a quarter to twelve, Cinderella rushes off, promising to return the following day.

The Second Ball

• Cinderella thanks her godmother, expressing her desire to attend the second ball.

• Her stepsisters return and tell her about the beautiful princess, unaware it was Cinderella herself. They refuse to lend her a dress.

• The next day, Cinderella attends the ball again, even more beautifully dressed.

• The prince remains by her side, and she loses track of time until she hears the chimes of midnight.

• Cinderella flees, dropping one of her glass slippers, which the prince retrieves.

The Glass Slipper

• The prince's guards saw only a ragged girl leaving the palace, not realizing it was Cinderella.

• Cinderella asks her sisters about the princess, and they recount how she fled, dropping a glass slipper.

• The prince announces he will marry whoever fits the slipper.

• The slipper is tried on all the women in the kingdom, but none fit.

• Cinderella asks to try, and despite her sisters' ridicule, she is allowed to.

Transformation and Marriage

• Cinderella's foot fits the slipper perfectly. She produces the other slipper from her pocket.

• The godmother appears and transforms Cinderella's clothes into even more magnificent garments.

• The stepsisters recognize Cinderella as the princess and beg for forgiveness, which she grants.

• Cinderella is taken to the prince, who marries her.

• Cinderella brings her sisters to live in the palace and arranges their marriages to great lords.

Morals of the Story

• Beauty is admirable, but charm is more valuable and can win hearts.

• It is advantageous to have talents, but a godparent can help put them to work.

Lecture 2: Children's Literature and the Family Unit

Normalizing The Family Structure

• Older Literature:

  • Married mother and father.

  • Raising obedient Children

  • Parents were always married.

  • Historically, widowed men were discouraged to remarry and widowed woman were expected to remarry.

Relationships in Children's Literature

• Normalize children to love and marriage at an early age.

• Show children the differences between good and bad relationships.

• Encourage monogamous relationships and family focused dynamics.

Negative Social Norms

• Marriage quickly after meeting.

• Man proposing to a woman often saves her from the danger of the story.

• Women are so quick to say yes because it will elevate status.

• Divorce does not happen.

Lecture 3: Modern Storytelling

Modern Storytelling Components

• Focus more on the individual, not the family unit.

• Lessons are often taught through the growth of the character.

• Conflict is not always against someone evil.

• Stories are more diverse and not always in line with older gender/social norms.

• Long form stories.

Character Arc

• Status Quo.

• Inciting Incident.

• Self Discovery through experience.

• Obstacles character will face.

• Realization.

• New Status Quo.

Urban Legends

• Modern folklore in the 21st century.

• Stories about unusual, usually scary, or humorous event that many people believe to be true, but largely are not.

• Some are framed as complete stories with plot and characters.

  • Mystery.

  • Horror.

  • Fear.

  • Humor.

Urban Legends as Modern Folktales

• Character driven and detailed enough to become oral stories, books, movies, TV shows, or social media posts.

• Urban legends can be adjusted in content based on the audience.

• Purpose:

  • Warn people about something.

  • Play into a modern fear or paranoia.

  • Teach a moral or lesson.

• Unlike folk tales, urban legends transcend social class and can be told and enjoyed by everyone.