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Why We Will Always Be Obsessed With Cinderella

Why will we always be obsessed with Cinderella?

I love Disney princesses.  I think every little girl grows up loving them and everyone has a favorite.  Even with my love of Disney princesses, I still saw so many of the princesses as girls who were waiting for a prince to save them. And it seems like in so many of the stories, that is what happens. True love’s kiss solves all your problems and the prince and princess run off into the sunset. I love the newer princesses — Merida, Tiana, Anna, and Elsa- since I think they break the mold on the ‘traditional’ princess.

I recently saw the newest Cinderella movie starring Lily James, Cate Blanchett, and Helena Bonham Carter. I, of course, loved the movie. I loved the modern twists on the classic story. There were a few things I didn’t really think about until I read an article about the movie on Levo League. The article, entitled Why Will We Always Be Obsessed with Cinderella?, took an interesting point of view on the movie and the princess story in general.

[See: Pretty Powerful Princess – Disney’s Progression Towards Female Empowerment]

Princesses now are more modern and care much less about being saved or rescued.

The author of the Levo League article, Meredith Lepore, writes, “Cinderella is a more modern, headstrong woman who’s less interested in the rescue part and more interested in telling the Prince about the problems with the Kingdom he’s about to run.”

Cinderella is the underdog. Cinderella was never my favorite, but this new movie made me look at the traditional story more closely. Cinderella had a crappy life. Her mom dies, her dad dies, and the one person who is supposed to take care of her and keep her safe tears her down. Her stepmother continuously tries to break her spirit and take away her joy. Thank goodness for the rodents, her only companions.

Cinderella is pretty awesome, and definitely resilient. Yes, she wants the Prince, but more importantly, she wants to be happy and have joy in her life. Who doesn’t want and deserve that?

Lepore  compares Cinderella to Katniss in the Hunger Games, Tris in Insurgent, and Elsa in Frozen. She says that Cinderella isn’t one of the kick-ass girls we’re used to seeing on screen, but she is known for her resourcefulness. It is nice to see someone be strong in a different way.

One of the things that really stuck with me from the movie was what Cinderella’s mother told her before she died: Have Courage and Be Kind.

And Cinderella was always those things. She was also so incredibly kind, certainly kinder than anyone else would have been in that situation. And she was so very courageous. I really love the way she exhibits courage. Courage literally means having the ability to do something that frightens you. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to walk a day in her shoes, but she just kept going and never stopped. If all of us could have courage and be kind, we could get so much done in this world.

I think we will always love princesses. Particularly Cinderella. I think everyone loves an underdog and everyone loves a happy ending.

Who is your favorite princess? Why? How can you be more courageous and kind?

About the Author

Jessica Sharp

Jessica Sharp is passionate about empowering underserved and minority communities, diverse representation, and brain education. Jessica is the Founder and Chief Educator of Sharp Brain Consulting which works with public service agencies to provide education about the brain and its effect on organizational outcomes. Additionally, she is on the leadership team of Meals on Wheels in her town of Greenville, SC. She is completing a Masters of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri. Upon her completion, she will attend William James College to obtain a Doctorate of Psychology. Follow her on twitter at @sharpjes.

Website: www.sharpbrainconsulting.com