Does anyone know the meaning of Cinderella?

Question

I need to find out the underlying meaning in the story of cinderella for a homework assignment. I know that alot of these "child stories" have been tweeked to the likes of children but they were once used to teach lessons. So if anyone can help, thanks!!!

Answer 1

Cinderella as a name doesn't mean anything - nor does the watered down version that are considered "fairy tales" today.



The original is a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. "Märchen der Brüder Grimm"



Cinderella = Aschenputtel



You can find the original German text here:

http://www.maerchenlexikon.de/khm/khm-texte/khm021.htm



Here is an English translation

http://books.google.com/books?id=vKRPsQtXTIoC&pg=PA110&lpg=PA110&dq=ashenputtel&source=web&ots=w_GOT-****&sig=iy3LWgAG7W6wgDBd-WPp09J5_Wk&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result



And here is a site on the tales & their significance:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/grimm/

Answer 2

Shoes really can change a girl's life.



Just kidding.



But seriously... there is a lot in there about family, love, and happiness. Cinderella is treated poorly and marginalized in her own home by her own step-family and yet she finds joy in life and realizes that their treatment of her doesn't represent her actual value as a person or her limitations in life - she still manages to be optimistic and have dreams for herself. As far as family values go in this story - they're not great. But she does strike out on her own and know that love does exist even though she doesn't experience it with her family - that's important for children in abusive homes to understand. Love is interesting in this story too, because her love with the Prince seems a bit rushed and shallow (understatement?), but she has faith in love. Maybe that's the bottom line of the story - faith? Enduring the bad she still believes good will come, that love exists, and that families can love each other.



That's off the top of my head. Hope it helps!

Answer 3

Life will have it's good times and it's times of trial. If you know what you want you have to work for it even when others try to keep you down. In the end it is possible for your goals/dreams to come true. You just have to keep trying.

Answer 4

Don't abandon your dreams if they don't

come true right away. Sometimes dreams come true with hard work and patience.

Answer 5

Everyone will get their just rewards in time

Answer 6

It means "little cinders". The -ella suffix if from Latin like the ending on the Latin word for girl--puella.