The Stepmother Stereotype

The Stepmother Stereotype

by, Diana B. Thompson

In fairytales, stepparents are evil!  In olden days, when resources were few, a stepmother paid her allegiance to her children by denying resources to the stepchild. Stepmothers were unattractive, or beautiful with a sinister side.

CinderSilly's stepmother is different.  We see in the 1st illustration that life is good. CinderSilly is a playful part of the family.  When the family runs out of money, the conflict begins. CinderSilly and her stepmother have opposing world views. The stepmother believes that life is a chore, while CinderSilly believes life is just what you make it. Her search for power is reflected through the illustrations with point of her finger. This stepmother doesn't fit the typical stereotype. She isn't evil. She is fundamentally unhappy.  Money had insulated her for a time. When the money runs out, she is unable to see the opportunity beyond the crisis. Misery loves company, so the stepmother gives CinderSilly a series of difficult tasks to prove her point. CinderSilly overcomes each obstacle.  Her positive point of view wins is the day, and points the way.

The Magical Stroke of Midnight

The Magical Stroke of Midnight

by, Diana B. Thompson

In the traditional story of Cinderella, the heroine is transformed through magic.  There are rules to magic, and consequences to breaking them. Cinderella is faced with the humiliating threat of being transformed back into rags.

CinderSilly is not a story of magical transformation.  Instead, her clothes are on loan from a dear old friend. Her carriage is a bicycle. So, why would CinderSilly possibly leave the party at a reasonable hour?

Her friend offers CinderSilly some sage old advice:  "The sparkle wears off of every good party at midnight.".  Leave.  In the end, she sees this is true.  CinderSilly remembers her promise to leave on time and she does.  Perhaps you remember your own mom saying, ‘nothing good happens after midnight?’. Well, it’s the same thing. It’s never too early to teach children to be responsible and get home at a reasonable hour.  No magical rules, no ominous threats, just good common sense.

Saving Cinderella from the Ball

Saving Cinderella from the Ball

by, Diana B. Thomspon

The fairytale ball is a place where girls are chosen or rejected.  Opportunities for marriage can make the difference in social status and lifestyle.

Today, extravagant balls have been replaced by nightclubs and college parties. They are still a place where partners are chosen for a single dance or a lifetime. Girls who grow up with princess stories may feel an unrealistic need to be the belle of the ball. To be the chosen one.  And so, they may buy into the ‘dance’ of expectations to be beautiful, to wear the latest fashions, to fit in while standing out in a crowd.

CinderSilly helps to paint a new picture of the dance and a girl’s role in it. CinderSilly is a child, not a young woman hoping to be a bride. But, she still wants to join the fun. After trying on glass slippers, she wears her own favorite shoes instead. She gets herself to the ball on a bicycle. Her dress is simple but pretty.  She is offered glass slippers, but chooses to wear h her own momentum.

At the dance, all the girls are wearing glass slippers except CinderSilly.  At the end of the evening, we see glass slippers scattered about the floor. (After all, dancing in glass slippers is a painful a chore). CinderSilly brings a wholesome sense of play to a stuffy room, and leaves when she is ready. In the end, she joins the prince in a ball. But in this case, it's a dance of their own making; A lively game of soccer.

CinderSilly Battles the Bullies

Copyright Dramatic Adventures, Inc. 2011

CinderSilly Battles the Bullies

by, Diana B. Thompson

Every Cinderella character is a victim of bullying.  Stepmothers and stepsisters are abusive and unkind. Cinderella is at the mercy of their control. She is forced to accept injustice and passively wait for rescue. Cinderella's escape comes through outside forces. The traditional story suggests there is no internal resource for escape.

CinderSilly also battles bullies. Instead of harsh physical or emotional abuse, she faces teasing from her stepsisters. It's much more typical of the behaviors seen on playgrounds. Instead of crying in a corner, CinderSilly joins in play.  Instead of rejecting her sisters, she embraces them. Instead of despising her CinderSilly nickname, she owns it. Teasing motivates CinderSilly to find her power and she does. No hero can succeed as passive in the face of abuse. CinderSilly battles her bullies, and wins.