Modern Day Cinderella Essay

The two films, Maid in Manhattan and Pretty Woman, can be considered a modern day Cinderella story. The two plots are loosely based on the the Disney classic. The Disney Cinderella was known as innocent, naive, and passive. The main character in Maid in Manhattan, Marisa, better showcases the new traits of an improved modern Cinderella than Vivian from Pretty Woman by keeping the same innocent nature, but adding more drive and determination to the role. The Disney Cinderella accepts her fate as the family’s maid. Madonna Kolbenschlag writes, “This willing acceptance of a condition of worthlessness and her expectation of rescue (as a reward for her virtuous suffering) is recognizable paradigm of traditional feminine socialization” (Kolbenschlag,

She does not have a job, just the credit cards he gives to occupy her for the day. Jane Yolen states, “The unliberated corollary is that even a poor girl can grow up and become the president’s wife” (Yolen, 538-539). Marisa works for her money. She is not looking to latch onto someone or become their sidekick. She has to be strong and consistent for her son, Ty. She has to be responsible with her decisions because they affect more than just herself. By being in the working class, Marisa can represent many young women today. She can even represent the working, single mothers in the world. She shows them that if one works hard enough, they can make their way up the ladder. She had her sights set on management from the start. She does not want to get involved with her prince, Chris, because she knows that it will deter her from her path going upward. She is hardworking, goal oriented and responsible. Vivian lacks those traits. She does not have a legal occupation, does not have an idea of a better life, and does take responsibility to the fact that men are paying to use her body. She was not even responsible to graduate from the high school level. She firsts goes to Edward because she is in need of money and nothing more. Vivian has the mindset to be the president’s wife, not the