Historical+Criticism


 * Historical Criticism**: Historical critics are interested in what was happening at the time the tale was written. They might ask: How do historical facts of twentieth-century America affect our understanding of the story? What historical events of the time relate to race, religion, or culture?

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

Modern day Cinderella was taken from a 1st Century BC tale told by Greek Historian Strabo. The story is that Cinderella, a Greek slave working in an Egyptian home. One day, a falcon took her slipper and flew it across the country to Memphis, where Pharaoh Ahmose III was celebrating. He realized this was a sign and he sent men out in all directions to find the women. Cinderella was found and later became the Pharoah's wife. -Matt Macchione


 * HISTORICAL CONNECTION: In the ancient tale, Aesop is mentioned. Rhodopis, or "Cinderella", worked as a slave for Aesop who told her many stories. Aesop, known for his "Aesop's Fables" was not fully recognized for his story telling prowess until after his death in 6th century BC. A hidden twist in the ancient Cinderella is the relationship between Rhodopis and Aesop who were fellow slaves. A 3rd century BC poem identifies them as lovers which can be further proven by an anonymously written novelette called //The History and Amours of Rhodope// from 1780. It tells that Aesop and Rhodopis were slaves under the same owner that eventually became unlikely lovers. Only until Rhodopis was taken away by the Pharaoh as told in the original Cinderella story. But the background affairs of Rhodopis and Aesop arent mentioned in that version, or any version.** -Matt Macchione

http://www.answers.com/topic/1696 http://www.answers.com/topic/1697 http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/cinderella/history.html http://www.readyed.com.au/Sites/extra/cinhist.htm - Alex McGlone

Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang is another version of Cinderella written by Tuan Ch'eng-Shih in 860. In the story, a hardworking girl, Yie Xiang befriends a fish who is her reincarnated mother who was killed by her evil stepsister. She finds magic bones that help her get a beautiful dress for a festival. At the festival, she loses her slipper and the king finds her and falls in love with her. It is very similar to the Philippines version. - Alyssa Matos

**Examine all the different time periods and try to determine what messages or morals are conveyed for each!**