Determination and Instinct in the Brothers Grimm's Cinderella

As children, most of our life lessons are acquired through the simplicity of fairy tales. Subliminal messages taught us to always believe in true love and in the eternal victory of good over evil. This is the case in the Brothers Grimm’s “Cinderella”, a popular fairy tale embodying a classic folk tale myth-element of unjust oppression followed by triumphant reward, where true love conquers all and eventually sets the world right. Cinderella is a fallen princess who finally meets with tough reality, bearing headstrong grit and perseverance. She proves that by entrusting one’s self and instincts, one can then achieve anything they put their minds to. She demonstrates such boldness when dealing with her step-family, sorting out the good lentils from the bad, and finally when making a sudden and unexpected appearance at the ball.

At the very beginning of “Cinderella”, written by the Brothers Grimm, the narrator clearly states that the central character’s name is only descriptive instead of being a proper name. “And as on that account she always looked dusty and dirty, they called her Cinderella” (70). This allows us, the readers, to identify with the protagonist. Abandoned by her father and enslaved by her stepmother, Cinderella proves that kindness will get a person farther in life than hatred ever can. Cinderella manages to overcome her obstacles with the help of her animal friends. These creatures of nature surround Cinderella because she is kind and loving, while the only animal that would even approach the evil stepmother and stepdaughters was their angry spoiled cat. Nevertheless, Cinderella still deals with them with nothing but patience and virtue. She is always the better person and never stoops down to their level. ...

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...balls, knowing that her step sisters were literally dying to be in her shoes. By keeping to herself and trusting her instincts, Cinderella winds up marrying the Prince and living happily ever after.

Cinderella differs from other princesses in any other fairy tale. She can be portrayed as a heroine in the eyes of the young, as well as the old, which is what makes her such a great and unique character. Cinderella overcomes numerous barriers, never accepting defeat and is kind to all, even those who do not reciprocate her goodness. She deals with her evil stepmother and stepsisters in the best behaviour, and in the end, she is able to obtain what she had worked so hard to achieve. For all these reasons little girls as well as grown women alike can relate to Cinderella in their hardships and can draw power and trust in their own selves from her inspirational tale.