What Are The Different Versions Of Cinderella

According to Refinery29, “there are reportedly 345 to 1500 versions of Cinderella.” The first version of Cinderella originated in France written by Charles Perrault in 1697 (Donahue). Different versions of Cinderella can be found as movies, books, plays, and poems. Three of the most popular versions are Little Golden Book Cinderella, the Grimm Brothers´ version of “Cinderella”, and the Disney 2015 film Cinderella. In the various versions of Cinderella, similarities and differences can be found in the theme of the story, the archetype of water portrayed through setting and scenes, and the character of Cinderella’s father.

In each version of Cinderella the theme becomes evident through various details. In the Little Golden Book, the theme was

An archetype is a literary detail that creates a certain feeling. In the various types of Cinderella, the archetype of water was used to show purification, redemption, growth, and the birth-death-resurrection cycle. In the Little Golden Book version of Cinderella, there was a picture of Cinderella and her dad at a fountain where they were both innocent and pure, because their lives had not been infringed with evil yet. Later Cinderella, “ran into the garden. She wept and wept” (10). The archetype of water was shown through her tears. Cinderella was then renewed when the Fairy Godmother came and transformed her, which also took place by a water fountain. In the Grimm Brothers’ version, Cinderella, “wept so much that her tears fell upon [the branch] and watered it” (para. 13). Cinderella cried so much that her tears grew a tree which could be seen as the reincarnation of her mom. Furthermore, before Cinderella met the Prince she, “first washed her hands and face clean,” (para. 60) which was cleansing and also showed a growth soon to happen in the story. Finally, in the Disney 2015 film, the archetype of water was shown multiple times in the transition of scenes. After the Prince decided there was going to be a ball for every maiden in the kingdom, the transition scene showed a river with boats which could be seen as a journey about to happen. When Cinderella left the ball, there was a fountain by the exit.

All three versions had a theme about karma. If someone had courage, was kind, and hardworking, then they would have a marvelous life. Society needed to realize this, and learn this lesson. If society had enough courage to be kind then a great deal of problems around the world would not exist. Society needs to be compassionate, and have enough courage to help humanity out. Furthermore, it is essential that Society does not turn their backs on each other. If good happens to good people, and society is good, then the world would be a much better