TL;DR
Cinderella is a timeless folk tale about a mistreated girl who, with magical help, attends a royal ball, loses her slipper, and finds love with a prince.
What is Cinderella about
Cinderella, known universally in folklore, tells the story of a young girl mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. With magical assistance, she attends a royal ball, captivates the prince, but leaves behind a slipper. The prince uses this slipper to find and marry Cinderella. Originally written by Charles Perrault in 1697 as 'Histoires ou contes du temps passé', the story features enduring elements like the fairy godmother, the pumpkin carriage, and the glass slipper. The Grimm Brothers later added their own version, featuring a hazel tree and a white dove that grant Cinderella's wishes, and a golden slipper instead of a glass one.
Cinderella 6 Key Takeaways
Cinderella's hardship
Cinderella endures constant mistreatment from her stepmother and stepsisters, relegated to a life of servitude and deprivation. Despite her suffering, Cinderella remains kind and hopeful.
Magical assistance
A fairy godmother (or in some versions, magical animals) helps Cinderella by transforming her rags into a beautiful gown and turning a pumpkin into a carriage, enabling her to attend the royal ball.
The royal ball
Cinderella attends the ball disguised, where she captivates the prince with her beauty and grace. She leaves in haste, losing a slipper that becomes the key to her identity.
The slipper search
The prince searches the kingdom for the owner of the unique slipper. Cinderella's stepsisters try to fit into the slipper, going to extreme lengths in some versions, like cutting off parts of their feet.
Cinderella's recognition
Despite obstacles and her stepfamily's interference, Cinderella is eventually recognized as the owner of the slipper and wins the prince's heart.
Happily ever after
The story concludes with Cinderella marrying the prince, escaping her abusive household, and achieving happiness and love.
Top Cinderella Quotes
- 'Have courage and be kind.'
- 'A dream is a wish your heart makes.'
Who should read Cinderella?
Cinderella is ideal for readers of all ages who enjoy classic fairy tales, stories of resilience and transformation, and timeless themes wrapped in magical narratives. It continues to inspire and enchant audiences with its message of hope and the triumph of goodness.
Cinderella Best Reviews
- 'Cinderella remains one of the most enduring and beloved fairy tales, embodying timeless themes of resilience, kindness, and the transformative power of love.' – The Guardian
- 'The various interpretations of Cinderella across cultures highlight the universality of its core message: hope and goodness can triumph over adversity.' – New York Times
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Cinderella FAQs
What is the Grimm version of Cinderella?
In the Grimm Brothers' version of Cinderella, she had a hazel bush where a white dove makes any of Cinderella's wishes come true. She leaves behind a small golden slipper at the ball and her two stepsisters try cutting off a toe or a heel to fit into the small shoe.
Who were the original authors of Cinderella?
Charles Perrault from France wrote the story of Cinderella that is best known in its translated English version. Perrault wrote 'Histoires ou contes du temps passé' in 1697. This French version includes the pumpkin, fairy godmother, and the glass slipper.
Is Cinderella considered folklore?
'Cinderella', or 'The Little Glass Slipper', is a folk tale with thousands of variants that are told throughout the world.
How many versions of Cinderella exist?
Scholars disagree as to exactly how many versions of the popular tale exist, with numbers ranging from 340 to over 3,000 versions, including picture books and musical interpretations. Although the story doesn't have a singular author, there are several notable interpreters.