Cinderella Comparison Essay

Cinderella Compare and Contrast Essay There are many versions to the famous fairy tale Cinderella. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm’s German version of Cinderella, “Aschenputtel,” is a household story of a young girl named Cinderella who eventually marries a prince. This specific version of Cinderella gave birth to the Walt Disney version of Cinderella that most Americans know today. However the stories are very different. The Grimm brothers’ version is much darker and gory then the classic American version. Small differences like this shed a different light on Cinderella and her journey to a “happy” ending. Most Americans could say that they have at least heard of Cinderella and her fairy godmother. In the German Version of Cinderella, “Aschenputtel,” there is no Fairy godmother. In “Aschenputtel,” Cinderella’s mother tells her “Dear child, remain pious and good, and then our dear God will always protect you, and I will look down on you from heaven and be near you." Later in the story Cinderella asks her father to bring home the first twig that brushes his hat. When given the twig Cinderella takes it to her mother’s grave and it grows into a magnificent tree. Cinderella then prays under the tree and pigeons and turtledoves bring Cinderella anything she wishes. These birds represent Cinderella’s mother’s spirit watching over her poor daughter. Animals, such as birds and mice, also appear in the Disney classic, but are more aides then guardians to Cinderella. These animals are introduced as humorous instead of saviors in the Disney version. The animals help her clean the house and do chores. Later on they also are transformed into steeds and drivers to take Cinderella to the ball. These differences give each story its lighter and darker feelings and dynamics affecting the readers’ emotions towards the animals and Cinderella. In “Ashenputtel,” the ball that is held to find a wife for the prince also happens over three nights instead of one night as in the Disney version