Cinderella: Can She Transform?

In my latest A-Z list, I am tackling characters who transform. I have reached "C."

"C" brings up an opportunity to define again what type of transformation I am tackling. Primarily, I am tackling internal, not external change. 

Fairytales are a great example of the two types. In general, Cinderella transforms her external life--not some much her internal self. Beauty transforms her internal self which leads to a change in her external life. 

Cinderella can be given internal change. In Into the Woods, Cinderella realizes that being run after by a prince is far less interesting than helping a baker raise his child. Cinderella in Cinder Edna comes to the same realization but doesn't do anything about it. 

I think Cinderella is a fascinating problem, rather like Superman: Can a character who inherently is supposed to already be good and kind and long-suffering be given a story arc (without being turned into, say, angsty Batman)? 

I think it is possible but as with Lois & Clark's Superman, the man has to come before the "super." Cinderella's vulnerable and imperfect self must come first.  

 

No comments: