Sibling Rivalry In Grimm's Cinderella

Grimm’s Cinderella was only the first stepping stone to analyzing the story and realizing that there is a more complex meaning behind the characters and plot. First of all, it differentiates between this slightly more gruesome version and the well-known Disney version. Although Cinderella is a fairy tale, the audience finds out from Pattaja and Bettelheim that this fairytale gets deeply involved with sibling rivalry, has a complex mother/daughter dynamic, and brings out both conscious and unconscious behavior in children. Bettelheim’s focus in the article is to communicate the presence of sibling rivalry and the effect of this fairytale on the subconscious of children. When kids watch “Cinderella” they subconsciously relate to her and make themselves the victim. It also makes them more aware or sensitive to the possible presence of sibling rivalry in their household. They may have a false sense of favoritism among their parents. Bettelheim brings up biblical references and how there has been sibling rivalry since the beginning of time. Cain and Abel as well as Jacob and Esau are the examples the writer uses. As there is hope because of Cinderella’s rise against her enemies, this also gives the viewer hope if they are feeling the same sense of degradation. Most people view Cinderella as an innocent, humble, victim. However, Bettelheim brings up the possibility of Cinderella secretly having a sense of

After reading Grimm’s “Cinderella” and Bettelheim and Panttaja’s analysis it is quickly realized that this fairytale is not just a fairytale after all. It plays games with the reader’s subconscious and brings many real life issues into focus. Cinderella’s character is questioned and everything the reader thought they knew is more than likely now irrelevant. Bettelheim and Panttaja both made a convincing argument and brought underlying messages to the