The Hope, Rescue, and Forgiveness of Cinderella

“Cinderella,” which was published in Grimm’s Fairy Tales in 1812, is a wonderful short story. Although it was published long ago, this fairy tale is known by almost every child in the United States today. Preserving Germanic folk tales, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm quickly realized that the stories they collected and edited intrigued young readers. In their collection they also include some of the world’s most famous stories such as “Hansel and Gretel”, as well as “Rapunzel” and “Rumpelstiltskin.”

In the story “Cinderella,” the characters are the kind and beautiful Cinderella, the evil stepmother and vile stepsisters, and the charming prince. Living with her stepmother, Cinderella is cruelly forced to do all the house work, while at night she sleeps among the cinders, which is where her name comes from. While it ends “happily ever after,” the beginning of the story is sad.

When the prince sends an invitation to all the ladies in the kingdom inviting them to a huge, exciting ball, Cinderella wants to go. Giving her so much work that she can’t go, her stepsisters also show their horribleness by laughing at Cinderella when Cinderella says she wants to go. Finally breaking down and weeping after her stepsisters leave for the ball, Cinderella, who is left behind, cries on the hearth.

Weeping uncontrollably, Cinderella looks up to find her fairy godmother, who turns her rags into a stunningly beautiful gown; this is the most exciting part of the story. Arriving at the ball Cinderella is the most stunning girl there, and every one, including the prince, admires her. Sitting with the prince and dancing every dance with him Cinderella realizes that she is supposed to leave before midnight, and runs off just as the clock strikes twelve. Quickly yelling and rushing after her, the prince can only find a glass slipper which he says he will try on every girl in the kingdom, marrying the one it fits.

At the end of the book, the slipper fits Cinderella perfectly, and she marries and lives with the prince. Ending in a happily ever after, “Cinderella,” which is a fantastically great book, should be read aloud to all children. Although the characters lack excess personality, the story makes up for it with its symbolism of rescue because everyone understands the concept of rescue. Throughout the story it is natural to hope that it will turn out good for Cinderella and that someone will help her. Even though Cinderella’s thoughts are not revealed, it is obvious that Cinderella is kind and caring because in the end of the story she forgives her stepsisters and stepmom for treating her so poorly. The hope of Cinderella during the most discouraging times, the rescue of Cinderella by the prince, and the forgiveness of Cinderella towards her enemies makes the story beautiful.