Ruth Panttaja Cinderella Critique

Critique

                "Cinderella: Not So Morally Superior " Critique

    In the article, “Cinderella: Not So Morally Superior,” Elisabeth Panttaja argues that Cinderella was not successful because of her patience or virtues, but because she was wittier and utilized magical powers to overcome those against her. Panttaja presents an alternative idea that many had not concluded. Panttaja’s claim has valid evidence revolving around Cinderella’s magical mother and her use of that power. The lack of logical and legitimate evidence for her analysis of the “love theme” and of the success Cinderella has with the prince weakens her overall article.

Panttaja starts her article with addressing issues rising from Cinderella’s mother. According

to Panttaja, most are familiar with the idea that the mother’s role is nonexistent, but to her that is actually the contrary. She focuses on the Grimms Brothers’ Cinderella version entitled Aschenputtel.  She discusses the idea that Cinderella is not as motherless or helpless as it seems to be. It is her mother’s power that helps her succeed. She provides an example from the Grimms Brothers’ Cinderella of how the mother was present through the hazel tree and the birds living in its branches. She then compares the stepmother and Cinderella’s mother in which she makes them look more alike in their morality. Both mothers want what is best for their daughters, yet it seems that Cinderella’s mother has the victory. Panttaja explains that Cinderella wins the battle for the prince through her mother’s powers and magic. Her ability to make Cinderella surpass the sisters’ beauty is done with the beautiful dresses she makes available for Cinderella; that is how the prince “operat[es] under a charm”  (Panttaja 289). The author further proves how a bride or bridegroom is under a charm in an unusual marriage with examples such as the Beauty and the Beast. She clarifies how this idea pertains to “power and manipulation” and not love, just like in Cinderella and the power from her mother.

Panttaja offers the idea that Cinderella is not the sweet, innocent girl with a happy ending because she deserved it, but because she uses her magical mother to obtain it.

With her analysis of the story, she is able to provide validity of the article when describing Cinderella and the objectives her mother has for her, marrying the prince. The first evidence of support for her claim is the direct quote from the Grimms Brothers’ version of Cinderella, “....and I shall look down from heaven and take care of you” (Panttaja 286). The quote implies that Cinderella’s mother would always be with her even if it was not in physical form. Her analysis continues with examples of the mother being present as natural elements. Cinderella’s mother is “figured in the hazel tree and in the birds that live in its branches”; the tree takes care of her just like a mother would (453). Another example Panttaja provided is that Cinderella would find safety “in a dovecote and pear tree” (453). Panttaja interprets the mother being present as pigeons, trees, birds, and a dovecote which help her in different aspects of the story. She explains how this magic and power allows Cinderella to marry the Prince and also get revenge on her

stepsisters.

The author’s interpretation is supported with her accurate analysis of the story. When it comes to describing the presence of Cinderella’s mother and the magical power they held, Panttaja provides ample evidence to support her thesis. Her use of rhetorical analysis allows readers to think about this Cinderella story differently than the accustomed perspective; the idea that Cinderella deserves the happy ending. Panttaja’s view and evidence illuminates readers to explore the new perspective successfully.

Further in the article, the author faces complication with the legitimacy of her analysis of the “‘‘alleged” theme of romantic love” (288).

She states that the “love”between the two, Cinderella and the prince, does not exist because it is all work of once again, the magic. The magic enhances Cinderella from “deformed” to being able to surpass the beauty of the stepsisters which was “fair.” Panttaja goes on to say that the prince was place “under a charm” (289). Her assumption was made because of the determination the prince had to find his future bride and his repetition of the statement, “she’s my partner,” both three times. She says this is “further evidence” to say that the prince was under a charm, when in reality the evidence provided does not have a foundation in the Cinderella story. Her argument of this assumption is weak because she fails to provide sufficient evidence in order for it to make sense or to be valid. She does add  other examples of a bride/bridegroom being enchanted or somehow disguised which are the Beauty and the Beast and Cupid and Psyche. Her assumption then goes from specific to broader terms since each story has different elements to them. Not only that, but she only briefly makes the point of Beauty and the Beast and Cupid and Psyche which not all readers may be aware of. She fails to really explain these two stories and make the connection of the ““alleged” love theme” to this Cinderella story. In addition, she gives these examples rather than

focusing on other Cinderella versions which could help strengthen her article.

    Published in 1993, Panttaja claims in “Cinderella: Not So Morally Superior” that Cinderella is not successful because of her patience or innocence, but because she uses the magical power her mother provides. Panttaja provides sufficient and logical evidence to support her idea that Cinderella’s mother is actually present in the story. Even though that evidence is provided, Panttaja fails to have valid and logical evidence to prove that Cinderella’s success with the prince and the “love” for one another comes from the magical power.

      Work Cited

Panttaja, Elisabeth.. "Cinderella: Not So Morally Superior." Writing and Reading for ACP

Composition,  Second Edition. Compilers: Christine R. Farris and Deanna M. Jessup. New York: Pearson Learning Solution, 2013. Print.