An interesting story that portrays many of the aspects found in the five sources of ethical standards is the fairytale known as “Cinderella”, written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. In the story Cinderella’s parents were happily married, until Cinderella’s mother became very ill and soon passed away leaving behind her husband and daughter. Cinderella’s father remarried and moved his new wife in along with her two evil daughters. They treated Cinderella viciously and saw her only as a maid, she was forced daily to do all of the housework from dawn to dusk. When Cinderella was not busy doing daily housework she would visit her mother’s grave and weep in sadness.
The king hosted a three day festival in order to find his son a wife to select for
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himself, therefore all of the young girls in the land were invited except for Cinderella. The stepmother did not allow Cinderella to attend to the festival and instead forced her to do chores all night long. Luckily there were special birds who wanted to help Cinderella get to the festival. These birds gave her a beautiful gold and silver dress and slippers embroidered with silk and silver. Cinderella attended the festival where she met the prince and were both instantly struck by love at first sight. The two only had eyes for each other and danced together as much as they could, this went on for a three day period. On the third day the prince wanted to see where the princess lived so he smeared the stair way with pitch, so he could stop her in her tracks. Unfortunately only one of her slippers got caught in the pitch and Cinderella ran back home. The prince searched every nook and cranny to find the woman who could fit into the golden shoe. His mind was set on making the lucky woman his wife. The stepsisters did whatever they could in order to fit into the golden shoe, but the prince realized into wasn’t a true fit. Finally Cinderella tried on the shoe and it was a perfect fit. The prince and Cinderella end up getting happily married and the birds poked both of the evil stepsister’s eyes out, leaving them permanently blind (Brothers). The narrative represented in the fairytale is to always show kindness to others no matter what, be brave and take chances, don’t let setbacks stop you, and to never stop dreaming (Huang). Cinderella had a happy fulfilled life with her father and mother up until the day her mother passed away. Once her stepmother and step sisters moved into their home, things only got worse from there on out for Cinderella. Although she was treated horribly by her family, she still had a kind heart and never let it change who she was. Cinderella was not allowed to go to the festival hosted by the king, but still took a chance and built up the courage to go on her own. Cinderella represented many of the characteristics that are found in the Virtue Ethical Approach, “this approach to ethics assumes that there are certain ideals toward which we should strive”. (Manuel Velasquez). Such as honesty, courage, faithfulness, generosity, prudence, etc. Cinderella obtained all of these traits because of her moral principles. Even when the odds were always against her she did not let her evil stepmother and stepsisters get the best of her. Cinderella kept hope in heart, remained good, and never stopped dreaming that she would one day live a happy life. In the fairytale “Cinderella”, there are many ethics that come to surface when regarding to each character and the decisions they made in certain situations in the story. In the beginning of the fairytale Cinderella’s mother’s last dying words to her were, "Dear child, remain pious and good, and then our dear God will always protect you, and I will look down on you from heaven and be near you” (Brothers). From that day on Cinderella always remembered her mother’s words and remained godly and positive as she always wanted her to be. Cinderella had those morals instilled in her from her mother and it showed through the way she held herself and treated others. She had every reason to disobey her stepmother and stepsisters but still chose not to because she felt as if she was doing the right deed for her family. Although she always listened to her stepmother’s demands, Cinderella knew in her heart she wanted to attend the festival. Cinderella’s stepmother and sisters treated Cinderella in a very morally questionable way. Since the day they moved into Cinderella’s home, they took advantage of her and forced her to do all of the work they refused to do, such as carry water, make the fires, cook, and wash. At the end of a long day’s work she had no wear to lay her head so she had no choice but to sleep by the hearth in the ashes. Their ethical values greatly reflected on their character and why they believed it was acceptable to treat Cinderella the way they did. Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters denied of her basic rights as a human such as those found in the Rights Ethical Approach. The Rights Approach is an idea that is focused on the individual’s right to choose freely on how they will live their lives and they have a moral right to have those choices respected as such. Cinderella’s stepmother never allowed her to choose freely and always choose for her instead, she never once thought that “people are not objects to be manipulated; it is a violation of human dignity to use people in ways they do not freely choose” (Manuel Velasquez). Thankfully Cinderella finally choose to purse the ideas represented in this approach and decided to live her life the way she wanted for a change. Once Cinderella finally took a chance and went to the king’s festival, she instantly was drawn to the prince and the feeling was quite mutual. The prince had no idea she was a house maid who was always dressed in filth and rags. Regardless of who she really was, when the prince found out she was the woman he was looking for, he cried out “She is my true bride!” He did not care that she was far from riches, only that she was his one and only true love. The prince represented aspects found in the Fairness of Justice Approach, “that is to say that ethical actions treat all beings equally or unequally, then fairly based on some standard that is defensible” (Laurenece M. Behrens). Although the prince seen Cinderella in her true form, he still chose to treat her equally and let her try on the shoe just as he allowed any other woman to. One can also say that the birds that befriended Cinderella treated her stepsisters unequally by poking their eyes out causing them to be permanently blind, on the standard that they were always mean to Cinderella. An interesting aspect that could be found in the tale of “Cinderella” is the physiological issues the characters may have endured due to the experiences they faced in their life while growing up.
Cinderella lost her mother tragically and throughout the story she seemed to never have gotten over her loss. Cinderella seemed to have been traumatized from the loss of her mother, and that could be the answer for why she act and allowed such inappropriate treatment from her step family. It is said that a ‘traumatic event is more likely to leave an individual with longer-lasting emotional and psychological trauma if the event occurred out of the blue, if the individual was unprepared for the event, and if the individual felt powerless to prevent the event from happening (Symptoms, Signs & Effects of Emotional Trauma). All of which apply to Cinderella’s situation when her mother became very ill and passed away right before her eyes. Some effects of untreated trauma can include inability to maintain healthy close relationships or choose appropriate people to befriend, feeling of depression, shame, hopelessness, and social withdrawal (Symptoms, Signs & Effects of Emotional Trauma). Cinderella would go to her mother’s grave and weep for her often representing she may have been depressed, although “some traumatic events are so painful that victims understandably want to withdraw from others and avoid painful reminders of the situation” (Raymond B. Flannery) . Cinderella was withdrawn from any social encounters and had to figure out life on her own. She was put through a lot but ended up coming out of a horrible situation into a new life to live with her
prince. In conclusion ethical dilemmas can be unavoidable and they are life lessons that people have to learn to overcome. Ethical approaches can be learned with the right upbringing and strong moral teachings from parents, teachers, and other positive influences. There are many different ethical approaches, but all in all they all come down to one thing. That is to be good people and to be respectful to one another. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” commonly known as “The Golden Rule” Luke 6:31.
Jacqueline Schectman is a therapist who has focused on the psychological pattern finding archetypes brought out by stories that resonate with the readers own experiences. She attempts to bridge the connection between the reader 's imagination and real life. In “Cinderella” and a Loss of Father-Love, Schectman takes what her clients take from Cinderella, and uses it to understand their case better. Their interpretation of the story Cinderella reveals what they tend to relate with in their personal lives. While in The Truth about Cinderella, Martin Daly and Margo Wilson explain the statistics of stepparent domestic abuse towards children, sexual and domestic violence. While both authors use Cinderella and her wicked stepmother as the analogy between children and their stepparents, Jacqueline Schectman focuses more on emotional abuse, while Martin Daly and Margo Wilson emphasize physical abuse.
A young woman named Cheryl wrote a very humorous and entertaining version of Cinderella on her blog. My favorite part of her fairytale is when she included the most precise details that no other would think to include. At one part of her story she states: “Invitations were sent out at no little cost in postage stamps, and all the young woman were excited to attend. Naturally the ugly stepsisters wanted very much to go, and naturally they forbade Ella from attending, just to live up their reputation as wicked stepsisters. – Getting an education or maybe a job and achieving better life from her stepfamily – one with more fulfillment and fewer cinders – didn’t occur.”
A young girl is forced to live with her step-mother and step-sisters after her father and mother die. She becomes the maid of the family, tending to their every need. Eventually there is a ball; she acquires a fairy Godmother, goes to the ball, falls in love with the prince, blah blah blah. All you really need to know is that she has a happy ending. A happy ending. No matter how much suffering she went through in her early years, at the end, it all came together and she had no more worries. And this is the problem. Cinderella is not realistic. It never was and never will be. Watching this movie when I was young made me believe there was a prince waiting for me somewhere. I grew up thinking that life was simple and uncomplicated, that I did not need to worry about the future because there was a man that would provide everything I wanted and needed. But as I got older, I realized this was not the case. I saw many of my friend’s parents divorce, people die, and the world fight with each other. My fantasy died off, and I realized I had to work hard for myself, and not others. The poem Cinderella by Anne Sexton made fun of the ending of Cinderella. She states, “Cinderella and the prince / lived … happily ever after … / their darling smiles pasted on for eternity. / Regular Bobbsey Twins. / That story.” (Sexton 11). Notice who she referenced and how she has a sarcastic tone. Cinderella and the prince smiled for others, trying to convince
Cinderella is a folktale that countless people can relate to, whether they completely know it or not. As Jane Yolen argues, the tale has so many different variations, which is why it has spread across the world and become so popular. It’s popularity is with people of all ages, since the story is relatable to anything that is going on. Cinderella is the adventure of a young girl, who is treated as a servant, that has the desire to attend the ball. Her stepmother and stepsisters try to keep her as far away from that ball as possible, giving her extra work and chores to do around the house. Cinderella dreams of going to the ball, until a fairy godmother appears to help her. The fairy godmother provides everything Cinderella needs to attend the ball and feel beautiful. She warns that Cinderella must be back before midnight, or else the magic will expire and her dress, shoes, etc. will
The character Cinderella in Cinderella could be illustrated and analyze in Erikson’s stage of identity versus role confusion. Identity versus role confusion was when a young people earlier conflict was resolved negatively, or if society limits their choices to one that does not match their abilities and desires, they may appear shallow, directionless, and unprepared for the challenges of adulthood. This stage begins with Cinderella’s father dying and leaving her to live with her stepmother which shows her true colors. During this period, Cinderella is kept with an evil stepmother and two stepsisters that don’t like her and will do anything to make her feel bad. This is where her terrible life begins.
The character of the wicked step mother does not change as the story progresses. She continues to show displacement even at the end of the story. She helps the story progress by forcing to stay home, Cinderella to make her own decision of going to the ball. By doing that, Cinderella gets her happy ending. The step mother shows displacement for Cinderella even at the end of the novel.
...hough she was brutally mistreated, Cinderella was able to find a solution for her problems and children can to. All they have to do is make the effort, try hard enough and success is possible. Adults should pay attention to this and see if Cinderella can help their children keep a positive attitude toward whatever situation they may be in - exaggerated as it may be. Cinderella doesn't only help show one how to overcome adversity it points out good morals, and sends the message that good always prevails. Both of these messages are crucial in a society that is slowly crumbling. All we can do is watch and hope the messages learned from Cinderella make a difference in the lives of Children all around the world.
She cooked and cleaned all day, but managed to remain faithful and visit her mother’s grave to grieve and pray three times a day.... ... middle of paper ... ... If we have the courage to overcome the adversity that we face now and in the future, as did Cinderella with her stepsisters and jealous stepmother, then we too are that much closer to reaching our dreams.
Cinderella is about a beautiful young girl that is mistreated by her step family. They give her the worst chores, make her sleep in a very dirty room up in an attic, and even give her the name “Cinderella” because they say she is always playing in the cinders of the fire. Cinderella is different though because despite being mistreated, she is still very nice and warmhearted. She represents how you should act in a world full of hate. If you are nice to everyone despite their rudeness and hate you will be rewarded in the end. Since Cinderella was so nice to her step sisters throughout her whole life, when she wanted to go to the ball her fairy godmother granted her wish. Cinderella got to go to the ball and looked absolutely beautiful, beautiful enough to catch the attention of the prince. While at the ball she was still very nice to her stepsisters, giving them food and telling them how nice they looked. When the stepsisters got home from the ball that night, they explain how lovely the mysterious princess was and how they thought she was so beautiful, not knowing that the mysterious princess was Cinderella. Cinderella played it off like she knew nothing of the princess but agreed with them that she must have been very beautiful. The next day came around and the stepsisters returned to the ball the
Instead, she takes her burdens as they come. Clare R. Ferrer noted in her article, “heroines are not allowed any defects, nor are they required to develop, since they are already perfect.” At the beginning of the story, Cinderella is described as “remaining pious and good” in-spite of the loss she endured. Cinderella is such a good person, that she takes the abuse from her step-sisters with grace and never asks for anything, nor does she reveal to her father or the Prince the type of life she has succumbed to living. Beauty goes hand-in-hand with being a good woman. According to Parsons, “a high premium is placed on feminine beauty…Women are positioned as the object of men’s gaze, and beauty determines a woman’s ...
For centuries, women have struggled in the fight to gain equality with men. Despite the major advances in civil and political rights, society still has a long way to go in addressing the issue of gender inequality. One major factor that prevents society from achieving gender equality is the idea that marriage is a women’s ultimate life goal. This notion has been significantly presented in literature causing women to appear less powerful than men, more specifically, in the fairly tales “Cinderella, or the little Glass Slipper” by Charles Perrault and “Ash Girl” by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. The stereotypical depiction of women only being ambitious toward marriage has led to women being inferior to men.
Many pieces of literature give different perspectives and change over time. Some may incorporate the same characters along with the same concept, but some contain opposite perspectives of the stories. Cinderella has two different films that tell the same story but they contain different concepts throughout the films. While the 1950’s version of Cinderella does not reveal Cinderella’s mother, the 2015 film version reveals her mother and makes the step sisters more attractive
The commonly used saying, “they lived happily ever after,” originates from early fairy tales. Fairy tales are stories that feature fanciful characters that convey a moral to teach children lessons and values that they will keep for the rest of their lives. The original story of “Cinderella” by the Grimm Brothers and the later Disney version Cinderella (1950) are both descriptions of a legendary fairy tale of a kind and gentle girl who overcomes the rancor of her stepmother and stepsisters and ultimately finds a happy ending. Although both stories have the same plot, the overall messages that they deliver are different.
The story teaches us that society expects women to be passive. Cinderella’s abuse by her stepsisters and stepmother cause her to live in grief silently without expressing her emotions. She does nothing to fight for her freedom except sing about all the dreams of happiness that she hopes will come true someday. She only wishes for things to change rather than attempt to do anything to change it for herself. Cinderella waits to be rescued by Prince Charming instead of fighting for her own freedom. This teaches women that they should suffer in silence without doing anything for themselves.
Many people know her as a princess who is sitting in house where her step-mother and her two step-sisters abused her. One day, she went to the ball from the help of her fairy godmother. The prince fell in love with her of her talents. In reality, she was mostly not have survived. In reality, this is Cinderella’s story.