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Cinderella Essay

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Submitted By aleeanania
Words 309
Pages 2
Alessandra Anania
Ms. Marsh
ENG4U-01
5 March 2015
The Influence of Power Literature has the ability to be viewed and evaluated under multiple lenses, yet still depict various critical themes. In the narrative, Cinderella by Charles Perrault, the Neo-Marxist theory is the principle that governs the entire theme of the story. The Neo-Marxist theory is centred on the power of relationships, which is a familiarized element in Cinderella’s life. Immediately Cinderella is portrayed to be passive, submissive, and obedient to the commands of her step family due to the power and wealth they maintain over Cinderella, “She slept in a sorry garret, on a wretched straw bed, while her sisters slept in fine room..” (Perrault). It is evident that the treatment of individuals in this story is strictly based on the Social status they possess in society. Unfortunately Cinderella was not privileged enough to uphold any status of worth and knew trying to prove herself otherwise was useless due to the control her stepmother held over her father’s judgement , “The poor girl bore it all patiently, and dared not tell her father, who would have scolded her; for his wife governed him entirely” (Perrault). Throughout the entire story Cinderella becomes subservient to her unjust orders without a complaint, and is perpetually treated unreasonably until she is noticed by someone who holds much more power than anyone in the story, the prince. Once Cinderella is desired by the prince she is instantaneously valued, “They threw themselves at her feet to beg pardon for all the ill treatment” (Perrault). Therefore, the Neo-Marxist theory is a structure that influences the scheme of the story.

Works Cited
Perrault, Charles. “Cinderella; or The Little Glass Slipper.” ENG4U eLearning.Brightspace. October, 2014
Marsh, S. Marxist Criticism [PDF document]. Retrieved from eLearning Online Web site:
https://yrdsb.elearningontario.ca/d2l/home/6073738

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