“Cinderella” Essay

One of the many Disney princess movies that I enjoyed while growing up was “Cinderella.” When watching the film again for the class assignment I observed the movie with a different perspective than I did as a child. This time, watching the movie I analyzed my response to the movie through what emotions and sensations it brought forth in me. There were definitely moments of the film that were inspiring as I watched Cinderella overcome her struggles. Aside from being inspired by Cinderella’s perseverance, I was deeply disturbed by the horrific manner in which the step-mother behaves and allows her daughters to treat Cinderella.
While watching the beginning scenes when Cinderella is beckoned by the step-sister and step-mother I couldn’t help but to be extremely annoyed by their bossy ungrateful attitude towards her. I could not help but to think, “these women are such b*tches!” Here they are, living in what was Cinderella’s parent’s house making her a servant because her father was no longer alive to defend her. To me it showed an ugly side of greedy human beings that are out to benefit at the cost of another person’s life. Even though the good and bad parts of life could have been equally shared among Cinderella and the two-step sister, the evil step-mother put all the work in Cinderella’s hand. Not only that, but to make this poor girl live like a poor servant in a home that is her birth right was really upsetting to me. The scene that really pushed me over the top making me angry was when they are getting ready for the royal ball. After all that Cinderella goes through, she still manages to get herself in a dress that was put together with her mother’s old dress and pieces of fabric and jewelry that was not being used by the step-sisters. When she comes down to join them over to the ball her step-mother instigates trouble by pointing out that Cinderella is wearing her step-sisters items. I wanted to slap them all when I watched them tear apart her dress to ensure that she could not go. It really was a very ugly moment in my opinion.
As inspiring as it was to see the positivity that Cinderella embraced despite her unfortunate circumstances, it bothered me a bit that her only means to freedom was through marrying a prince. Although I understand that the story and movie were created at a time where gender equality may not have been a topic of discussion the way it is today, but watching the movie did make me question the message that society is sending to young women. Cinderella was clearly strong enough and capable enough to save herself, and it makes me sad that it still took a man to get her out of that life. Throughout the movie I could not help but to think, “I wish I was as positive in my attitude at Cinderella was with her awful living conditions.” She really has a wonderful attitude about the world even though she has plenty of reason to be angry and bitter. I know I would have eventually turned nasty towards the step-mother and sisters and found a way to get revenge and kick them out. However, Cinderella kept on being a kind loving spirit. I was happy for her to finally get away from those women, but I did not like that it took her being “rescued” by the prince in order for her to find true happiness. Overall, I am hoping that the typical old fashioned story of a damsel in distress is something that we need to move on from so that girls can realize that they are capable of creating their own happiness.