Cinderella's Theories

The classic fairy tale of Cinderella easily connects with three different perspectives of social science – anthropology, sociology and psychology. Anthropology, being the study of cultures, relates to Cinderella regarding how the characters were brought up through their cultural background. The perspective of sociology – people within groups and social structures – explains how and why the different conflicts arise within the story. Psychology studies mental processes and behaviour, analysing Freudian decisions of Cinderella and what might have been her mental state in the fairy tale.

Anthropological study can explain how the characters’ values and learning of rules are dramatically affected by their cultural background. In the story, after Cinderella’s mother died, she ‘remained pious and good’ (Grimm, 1812). She visited her grave every day and wept, showing her sense of responsibility and unwillingness to neglect loved ones. She also demonstrated a sense of respect for her family, complying to become a maid without arguing. Also, knowing their financial position, she only asked for a twig when her father went to the fair. Through these personality traits, it is evident that she has been raised with enforced rules and good values. Cinderella’s step sisters, on the other hand, were mean and unkind. They were ‘beautiful, with fair faces, but evil dark hands’ (Grimm, 1812). They laughed at the way Cinderella was dressed, and deliberately threw peas into the ashes to give her an additional chore. They were also very greedy and asked their stepfather to buy them jewels and dresses when he went to the fair. Through the step sisters’ behaviour, it is evident that they have been raised with the wrong rules and values, showing disrespec...

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