The document provides an analysis of the Brothers Grimm's version of Cinderella, highlighting themes of bullying, exclusion, and socio-economic dynamics within a patriarchal society. It discusses the character qualities and relationships, particularly between Cinderella, her stepmother, and stepsisters, examining the psychological implications of their interactions. Ultimately, the narrative leads to Cinderella's transformation and resolution, emphasizing the consequences of vanity and bullying.

1. Cinderella by The Brothers Grimm (original author unknown) Cinderella

2. Background & Exposition Indeterminate point of time Patriarchal, monarchist society Protagonist: Female Young Attractive As-yet unnamed (Cinderella) C2DE Socio-economic stratum Background & Exposition

3. Further Exposition Birth mother expires Protagonist still pre-pubescent Father remarries [Ref: Kubler-Ross grief curve completed?] Step-Mother: Physically attractive Vain [ref. Carly Simon, establish royalty costs] Fertile Two (2) further female offspring Further Exposition

4. Tension Established Spectrum of Decency Sweet / Kind Loving Unselfish Generous Attractive Wicked Spiteful Self-centred Mean-spirited Unattractive Protagonist (Cinderella) Father ?? (Compromising management style, inconsistent, unreliable, remote.) Ref: Kubler-Ross grieving incomplete? Ugly Sister 2 Ugly Sister 1 Step-Mother Tension Established

5. Protagonist Quality of Life Unreasonable demands Father unassertive Protagonist - inherited passivity? Step-Mother and Sisters (tactical anger) Bullying tactic #1 … Pejorative nickname – “Cinderella” Protagonist Quality of Life

6. As time passed … Cinderella Quality of Life Cinderella Physical Attractiveness As time passed …

7. The Twist Monarch’s Son Unnamed Undescribed Automatically eligible / desirable? Grand Ball Invitation “ All eligible girls” Step-Sisters’ bullying tactic #2: Exclusion / Isolation The Twist

8. Exclusion Step-Mother reinforces exclusion Offers false hope: Carrot – Ball / New dress Stick – Daily chores must be completed Bullying tactic #3: Impossible deadlines Dramatic workload increase Father absent from all discussions (Ref: Metaphorical emasculation?) Exclusion

9. Nadir Cinderella observes departing sisters Flashback: [rippling dissolve PowerPoint effect?] Day of birth-mother’s death Young protagonist plants a tree Protagonist waters tree with tears shed due to bullying tactics #1 and #2 [Ref: Coastal tree species unaffected by high NaCl content of water?] Cut back to Present Day: [appropriate PPT effect] Cinderella hugs tree [Ref: Early ‘green’ reference?] Cinderella tells tree her woes Nadir

10. A New Hope … Wind in tree (Aural hallucination?) “ You will get your wish.” Dress and shoes hanging in the tree. [Ref: brand unspecified – opp. for possible product placement / sponsorship deal] Benefactor remains undiscussed in text A New Hope …

11. Benefactor Suspects Benefactor Suspects Dead Mother Recent Manufacture of gifts X Mother’s remains in coffin in ground X Corporeal manifestation unlikely X Why wait until now? X Living Father Recent Manufacture of gifts  Frequent absences (shopping?)  Ready access to garden  Perfect moment  Dead Mother Living Father Ball Gown & Shoes (both of recent manufacture, plus high quality workmanship & design) Ball Gown & Shoes

12. A New Hope … Cinderella ‘transforms’ [Ref: Extreme Makeover follow-on?] Carriage waiting outside house - allusion to ‘magical’ benefactor [See Benefactor Suspects above] Dramatic entrance Noticed by eligible male monarchical offspring “Danced all night” [Ref: primitive cultures. Ref: vertical expression of horizontal desire] Not recognised by family Discuss: vanity = blindness? A New Hope …

13. Reality Bites Midnight Rapid departure Loss of 50% of shoes Fade to black … (false ending) Reality Bites

14. “The Very Next Day …” “ Eligible male monarchical offspring seeks mysterious dancing partner” Methodology: Travel to every home in Kingdom Assess shoe compatibility on every foot of every eligible female Discuss: “ In-breeding is not necessarily good breeding. Just because you’re a prince, doesn’t make you smart or efficient.” Foot fetishism in the upper classes “ The Very Next Day …”

15. Noooooooo! Step-Sister #1 tries shoe on Foot too big Discuss: vanity = bunions? Step-Mother cuts toe off to ensure fit Fools eligible male monarchical offspring Heads for castle with Step-Sister #1 Notices blood dripping from shoe [Ref: Eeeeew!] Returns to C2DE cottage dwelling Noooooooo!

16. Noooooooo! 2 Step-Sister #2 tries shoe on Foot also too big Discuss: vanity = bunions? (growing evidence) Step-Mother cuts heel off to ensure fit Eligible male monarchical offspring is fooled again [Ref: in-breeding discussion above] Heads for castle with Step-Sister #2 Notices blood dripping from shoe [Ref: Eeeeeeeeeeew!] Returns to C2DE dwelling once more Noooooooo! 2

17. Denouement Eligible male monarchical offspring asks for other eligible females in the dwelling Step-Mother reluctantly produces Cinderella Eligible male monarchical offspring instantly recognises dancing partner from pervious evening [Ref: pheromones?] Shoe fits Cinderella [Ref: Du-uh! Statistically, how many other girls in the goddamn Kingdom would have that size foot?] Denouement

18. Resolution Cinderella [Ref: power of pejorative nicknames to stick throughout life. See also “Turdblossom”] and eligible male monarchical offspring wed After ceremony, crows pick eyes from Step-Sisters [Ref: vanity causes blindness (growing evidence)] Step-Sisters never again mean to “another living creature” [Ref: self-preservation? Ref: post-mortem bullying? Ref: nature vs nurture in the psychology of bullying] Cinderella lives happily ever after Resolution

19. THE END © Rowan Manahan http://fortifyservices.blogspot.com THE END