Psychological+Criticism


 * Psychological Criticism**: Psychological critics apply the insights of psychology to literary characters. They might ask: What traditional aspects of human personality (heart, mind, and soul) are most prominent in each of these characters? What modern psychological concepts, such as the unconscious (hidden desires and meanings), defense mechanisms (displacement, denial, projection, etc.), eros and thanatos (love and death), and aspects of the mind (id, ego, and superego) can help us understand what goes on in the story? What motives drive the main character in his/her actions? What other relationships are important in the story?

Use this page to share links, discuss and analyze "Cinderella" through this critical lens.

Cinderella is nice and appreciates all that she is given like the example of her only asking for a twig from her father when he went to the fair because of Cinderella's mom telling her "Dear child, when I am gone continue to be good and pious and Heaven will help you in every trouble and I will be your guardian angel".

Throughout the story the sisters re convinced that if they get married to the prince they will be considered happy and have a successful life.They are programed to think that they will be happy with materials rather than true love. They even go to the extent to cut off their own toe to be successful.

The step daughters act all snobby and stuck up because of them getting everything they ask for throughout there childhood resulting in how they are in the story.

The Cinderella Effect got its name from the story Cinderella and is described by being abused in and mental or physical way by the stepparent or step-relative. In Cinderella's case she was abused by her stepmother and stepsisters. SHe was forced to do all the work and unfairly treated. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinderella_effect

Another psychological effect named after Cinderella is the Cinderella Complex. The Cinderella Complex is defined as a woman's unconscious desire to be taken care of by others, based primarily on a fear of being independent. Cinderella relied on the prince to save her from her situation with her stepmother. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinderella_complex

Psychoanalyze: Stepmother- The problem with this situation is that Cinderella's stepmother does the disciplining. Instead the genetic parent should do that. If the child does not listen to the step-parent, the step-parent should wait for the genetic parent to arrive back to deal with the problem. The stepmother is also in fault because she compares her own daughters with her stepdaughter, "Cinderella". This is the action that creates sibling rivalries, especially in step-sibling relationships.

Stepsisters- Sibling rivalry is the problem with their relationship with Cinderella. They are always comparing and "competing" with Cinderella because they believe they are more beautiful than her. They also try to steal the prince from Cinderella by cutting off parts of their feet to try and fit into the shoe.

Father - The king didn't have much of a part in the story. His absence while Cinderella's stepmother and stepsister torment her implies that he doesn't care about his daughter. This could be because the King wanted a son to take over the kingdom, so he secretly resented his daughter.

Prince-Throughout the story the prince really doesn't do anything incredible that's worthy of note. Were aware that hes madly in love with Cinderella. The only instance where you see a bit of his character is when he searches throughout the kingdom to find his mysterious dance partner (Cinderella).He has a lack of involvement in this story except the end when he tries to find Cinderella.He is very simple minded because the only reason he wanted to marry her was based on her looks and a short dance.Cinderella seems like more of property than his partner. Pseudo Happiness-The women in the story truly believe the way to happiness and success is to marry the prince.Would go to any extent to make it a reality(for example cutting off their toes)Stepmother convinces them royalty is the way to happiness and not to settle for anything less. Materialism-Many of the characters are more focused on materials more than anything else.Stepsisters ask for expensive items while Cinderella asks only for a twig.In the end the one who only cares about “things” ends up unhappy. Hidden Morals-Inside of Cinderella many morals are hidden inside that children can subliminally pickup.An example of this is how children will learn if you are rude and abusive you will lead a horrible life. Lack Of a Father Figure-The lack of involvement in Cinderella's life perhaps means that he doesn't care about Cinderella as he may have if she was a boy and a male heir.Given the impression does not care about Cinderella. Sibling Rivalry-Sibling Rivalry is the main source of the problemThey constantly compare their looks with CinderellaAlso try to steal the Prince away from her and fight because of her posing a threat Non Biological parents-The biological parent should do the disciplining and chore setting not the step-parent.The Stepmother also constantly compares her biological children with Cinderella which also stirs up several problems.

Very interesting! Keep digging. Try to psychoanalyze the other characters - stepsisters, prince... what about the father?