Cinderella Comparison
Liz Shaughnessy
Porth
Eng. 2030
10/29/14
Cinderella: Differentiation Across Cultures
Cinderella has over 375 different versions of the story. Some link closely with one another and others do not. I will be comparing two different Cinderella stories, the Egyptian and Korean form, to the one we all know as the classic English-language tale of Cinderella. Despite their cultural differences, many clear commonalities exist between the Korean, Egyptian, and English-language Cinderella stories.
In the English-language “Cinderella”, she has three evil stepsisters and an evil stepmother. She is to do all the chores in the home, and she speaks to the animals because they are her only friends. Cinderella wishes to go to the ball but is asked to stay home and complete her chores. A magical fairy comes and grants her wish to go to the ball, but with one condition: that she must be home when the clock strikes 12. While at the ball, she dances with the Prince and the clock begins to ring. In a scurry, Cinderella runs out of the ball, leaving a glass slipper behind on the stairs of the castle. The Prince goes on a search to find his “ever after”. Trying the slipper on Cinderella reveals a magic fit, and they live happily ever after.
“Egyptian Cinderella” is written by Sherry Climo, the story begins describing the setting of Egypt by the green Nile River where it flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The “Egyptian Cinderella” is known as Rhopopis, a maid, born in Greece. Rhopopis was kidnapped and sold as a slave into Egypt to a kind man who likes to sleep and often takes naps under a tree. Rhodopis is not the only slave in the house, and the other slaves do not treat her kindly. Because she burned easily, she would get red cheeks. They would taunt her by calling her “ Rosy Rhodopis”. The owner never witnesses the taunting because most of his days are spent outside. The slaves would choose not to work and make Rhodopis do all the work herself. Her only friends were animals.
One
Porth
Eng. 2030
10/29/14
Cinderella: Differentiation Across Cultures
Cinderella has over 375 different versions of the story. Some link closely with one another and others do not. I will be comparing two different Cinderella stories, the Egyptian and Korean form, to the one we all know as the classic English-language tale of Cinderella. Despite their cultural differences, many clear commonalities exist between the Korean, Egyptian, and English-language Cinderella stories.
In the English-language “Cinderella”, she has three evil stepsisters and an evil stepmother. She is to do all the chores in the home, and she speaks to the animals because they are her only friends. Cinderella wishes to go to the ball but is asked to stay home and complete her chores. A magical fairy comes and grants her wish to go to the ball, but with one condition: that she must be home when the clock strikes 12. While at the ball, she dances with the Prince and the clock begins to ring. In a scurry, Cinderella runs out of the ball, leaving a glass slipper behind on the stairs of the castle. The Prince goes on a search to find his “ever after”. Trying the slipper on Cinderella reveals a magic fit, and they live happily ever after.
“Egyptian Cinderella” is written by Sherry Climo, the story begins describing the setting of Egypt by the green Nile River where it flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The “Egyptian Cinderella” is known as Rhopopis, a maid, born in Greece. Rhopopis was kidnapped and sold as a slave into Egypt to a kind man who likes to sleep and often takes naps under a tree. Rhodopis is not the only slave in the house, and the other slaves do not treat her kindly. Because she burned easily, she would get red cheeks. They would taunt her by calling her “ Rosy Rhodopis”. The owner never witnesses the taunting because most of his days are spent outside. The slaves would choose not to work and make Rhodopis do all the work herself. Her only friends were animals.
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