A Cinderella Story The Cinderella story is a popular archetype that has been present in almost every culture, representing a girl's dream of achieving a happy and wealthy marriage. However, a careful reading of some "Cinderella" folk tales reveals instances of abuse and even incest. In the past, for many girls, the only relief available from abusive households was to marry well. In modern times, some authors present the Cinderella myth in a positive light, while others offer a more feminist interpretation. This essay examines the impact of the "Cinderella Complex" on women and men, exploring the ways in which the Cinderella myth reinforces traditional gender roles and contributes to harmful gendered expectations. The Brothers Grimm's Cinderella …show more content…
Positive interpretations of the story focus on the idea of love conquering all and the idea of a rags-to-riches story. These interpretations celebrate the idea of a woman finding happiness and success despite facing adversity. However, feminist interpretations of the story question the patriarchal nature of the story and challenge the traditional gender roles that the story reinforces. These feminist interpretations offer alternative perspectives on gender roles and seek to break down harmful gendered expectations. Anne Sexton's "Cinderella" is a modern interpretation of the Cinderella myth that explores the theme of sexual abuse. In this poem, Sexton reimagines Cinderella as a victim of sexual abuse, with the glass slipper serving as a metaphor for the phallus. This interpretation of the story highlights the ways in which the Cinderella myth reinforces harmful gendered expectations and contributes to the "Cinderella Complex." The poem explores the idea that women are expected to be passive and to rely on men for their happiness. Sexton's poem illustrates the harmful effects of the "Cinderella Complex" on women. The "Cinderella Complex" is an unconscious desire to be taken care of by others, which can lead to low self-esteem and the expectation that women should be passive and dependent on men. The Cinderella myth reinforces the idea that women need a man to rescue them and that