|
The Daily Dose
Smattering of Romance, Paranormal, and General ObservationsSaturday Smackdown: Fairy Tale Style
Heather Long
December 12, 2009
In honor of The Princess and the Frog today, our Saturday Smackdown
features two classic princesses that have inspired generations of girls for
more than half a century each. Arguably, since both are based on classic
fairytales that are centuries older than their animated counterparts, their
influence is considerable on classic and modern romantic literature. Fairy Tales The beauty of a fairy tale is the transcendence from everyday life to a magical
place or time where happily ever after is not only possible, it is required. As
a culture, we love fairy tales; we love the idea of the underdog triumphing, of
true love's first kiss and of love at first sight. We believe in men who will
slay dragons to be with the one they love and of men who see beyond the shallow
and innocuous to the true beauty that is within. You will find all of these
qualities in our two superb fairy tale contenders. However, it is up to you to
choose which one is the better. One lucky commentator will win a $10 gift certificate to Amazon next Saturday
just in time for that last minute shopping! Cinderella At a tender young age, Cinderella's father remarried a duchess to give his
motherless child a mother and sisters. His title and wealth were a boon to his
new wife, but she and her daughters often resented the close relationship
Cinderella had with her father. When her father perished, the Duchess now
controlled the household, the wealth and the position. She banished Cinderella
from her fine rooms, fine clothing and possessions to live as a scullery maid,
keeping care of her boorish sisters and cruel stepmother. Despite her stepmother's every attempt, Cinderella's spirit remained strong.
She found pleasure in the simple joys and worked tirelessly. When the King
summoned every eligible maiden in the land to a ball for the Prince in hopes
that his son would choose a bride, Cinderella's wicked stepsisters were all
flutter. Of course, Cinderella wanted to go as well and since she was
technically an eligible maiden, her stepmother couldn't forbid her. Unfortunately, she did place numerous roadblocks in the way, loading her up
with chores and preparations so that by the time of the Ball, the young girl
would be too tasked to go. In the Disney Classic, Cinderella's animal friends
finished her dress for her with cast offs from the sisters. Sadly, it was those
cast offs that gave the wicked pair an excuse to shred the dress and abandon
the miserable girl to her sobs as they flounced off to the Ball. Enter the Fairy Godmother who gives Cinderella a wonderful wish from her
fabulous gown to her pumpkin turned coach and animals transformed in coachman,
footman and horses. She sends Cinderella off to the ball with the admonishment
that the magic will evaporate at midnight. Thrilled to have this wonderful
experience away from her drudge of a life, Cinderella arrives quietly at the
palace. The Prince is taken with her quiet shyness and gentle beauty. They dance, they
talk and they share a wonderful evening, but at midnight, she flees from him
and leaves only a glass slipper behind. Thus begins the Prince's quest to find
the beautiful girl who so captivates him. Every woman in the land tries on the
slipper and with a few mishaps (and in the bloodier versions sliced off toes),
Cinderella is finally found and the shoe fits. She and the Prince are wed and they live happily ever after.
Sleeping Beauty In a faraway place, two Kings are the closet of friends. Nevertheless, one
King (Disney calls him Stefan) and his wife are desperate for a child. When the
Queen finally gives birth to a healthy baby girl, there is much rejoicing. The
King invites everyone from far and near to come and celebrates the little
Princess. She is betrothed to his good friend's young son: the Prince Phillip.
The party is in full swing, with the good fairies giving their blessings only
to have the third and final blessing interrupted by the arrival of Maleficent. The dark fairy Queen was apparently left off the guest list by either accident
or design. She is quite insulted at having been so left out of the festivities
and uses her own dark magic to curse the baby. She promises that on her
sixteenth birthday, the girl will prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning
wheel and die. That is her gift. The third fairy cannot undo the curse, but she
does mitigate it. She says the princess will sleep, not die, until true love's
kiss can wake her. Now in the Disney version, Aurora is secreted away with the three good fairies
to a humble cottage deep in the forests. She is rechristened Briar Rose and
raised by her three old aunts. She enjoys wandering in the woods, gathering
food, singing to the animals and living the simple life. The fairies keep her
hidden so that Maleficent cannot force the curse to come true. They hope if she
can make it through her sixteenth birthday without pricking her finger, then
the curse will be broken. Of course, Briar Rose encounters Phillip one afternoon and the two strike up a
friendship and an attraction. The Prince has not seen his betrothed since he
was a child and has no interest in marrying a stranger. He goes to tell his
father of his plans, but the King is not interested in Phillip's infatuations.
He wants Phillip to marry Aurora, end of story. Phillip heads back into the
woods to meet with Briar Rose at the cottage, but finds it dark, cold and
forbidding. Maleficent has finally located the Princess and is laying in wait. She and her
goblins take Phillip captive, chaining him in the dark castle, far away from
Briar Rose whom he learns is Aurora. Maleficent uses her magic to lure Aurora
to the top of a tower, where she pricks her finger and collapses into a deep
sleep. Maleficent rubs it in that Phillip will be old and infirm before she
will let him go – because only his kiss can rouse the sleeping Princess. With the help of the good fairies, Phillip breaks free and armed with the sword
and shield of Valor, he battles his way free of Maleficent's Keep and through
the thick thorns barricading Aurora's castle. There, he confronts Maleficent in
all her evil glory as she transforms into a dragon. In epic conflict, he slays
the dragon and finds his way to Aurora's side where he wakes her with a single
kiss. The pair then lives happily ever after. Modern Spinoffs These tales continue to enchant with their timeless tales of magic, adventure
and love conquering all. Which fairy tale reigns supreme? Only you can decide.
Tell me, do you believe in magic? So it's smackdown time, post your choice and all comments count towards winning
a $10 Amazon gift certificate. The winner will be notified via email next week.
A lifelong writer turned author, Heather Long's first book
Remembering Ashby is
available for purchase at Sapphire Blue Publishing. Coming soon is the urban
fantasy: Prime Evil. The Daily
Dose explores books, television, writing and more -- all topics that Heather
enjoys.
Comments
32 comments posted.
Re: Saturday Smackdown: Fairy Tale Style
I will always love Cindy the best. She deserves all the love and happiness she can get.
Yes, I truly believe in magic and miracles!
I know things about fairy tale heroines I wasn't aware of before. Thank you so much for the information. I will sally forth and share my new found knowledge!
(Betty Cox 12:51pm December 12, 2009)
I enjoy Gregory Maguire's versions. You still have the magic and miracles, but not quite the way you expect!
(Karin Tillotson 12:53pm December 12, 2009)
Oh, I love fairy tales. The Twelve Princesses sneaking away on a boat for dancing and wearing out shoes from all that hard twirling makes me grin. But between the two choices offered, Cinderella gets me every time. It has those fairy godmothers and mice who magically organize chaos into a pretty picture. The end result is uplifting with kindness rewarded.
(Alyson Widen 1:41pm December 12, 2009)
Cinderlla is my favorite, loved the movie,Ever After with Drew Barrymore.
(Cathy MacDonald 1:48pm December 12, 2009)
I vote for Cinderella too - I'm a sucker for a rags to riches story regardless of whether its a fairy tale or real.
[email protected]
(Penny Tuttle 2:09pm December 12, 2009)
I like Sleeping Beauty. Prince Phillip has to fight to save Aurora.
(Jane Cheung 2:14pm December 12, 2009)
I am a huge Sleeping Beauty fan!!! :D
(Colleen Conklin 2:17pm December 12, 2009)
Cinderella gets my vote. I suppose it is because I want hard work to be rewarded. Belief in Magic? Well, I believe in the magic of love.
(G. Bisbjerg 2:21pm December 12, 2009)
Cinderella is my favorite fairy tale. You just can't beat a rags to riches story!
(Gail Hurt 2:28pm December 12, 2009)
I love Cinderella the most, great story.
(Barbara Elness 2:39pm December 12, 2009)
Yes, I believe in magic and Aurora gets my vote.
I love the way that Prince Phillip battles the evil Maleficent to rescue his love.
Plus the song 'Once Upon a Dream' in Disneys Sleeping
Beauty is just lovely.
(Gigi Hicks 3:01pm December 12, 2009)
Cinderella my favorite. I still would love to have a Fairy Godmother but I guess in some respects I've had a few in my lifetime. The Sister's who are always there for me and the Friend who will drop everything just because I need her.
(Shirley Kulesza 4:22pm December 12, 2009)
I always wanted the glass slippers, so Cinderella it must be.
(Mary Preston 5:30pm December 12, 2009)
Cinderella is my favorite and yes I do believe in magic.
(Lena Lee 7:41pm December 12, 2009)
Cinderella, absolutely!!!!
(JoAnn White 8:22pm December 12, 2009)
Thank you for your post, Heather. I've never come across a fairy tale I didn't like, but I have my favorites. Alas, they don't include "Cinderella."
Despite some points of interest, basically it's just a wish-fulfillment power fantasy. The put-upon heroine is vindicated, triumphs over those who made her miserable, and marries an heir apparent. It's the archetype for much mediocre or worse popular fiction.
"Sleeping Beauty" is far more meaningful and profound, with fascinating mythic themes and subtext. Far from a power fantasy, it's about being without power.
Princess Aurora must be the ultimate passive character. Events happen around her and other characters do things to her. But what does she do? In particular, for which actions is she best remembered?
While under a spell, Aurora pricks her finger on the distaff of a spinning wheel. She sleeps for a long time. She is awakened by her true love's kiss. Aurora does nothing of her own volition.
Her course of destiny isn't fair, and must make no sense to her. Yet she endures adversity to attain a happy, fulfilling new life.
Her sleep is a metaphor for death or a death-like existence, the cruelest of fates. Yet she awakens from it; how? Through the power of love, embodied by Prince Phillip. Such a wonderful statement about what love can do.
As for your question about magic, no, I don't believe in it. Today we have science and technology instead of magic and miracles. However, it's still a powerful and meaningful element of myths, fantasies, and fairy tales.
(Mary Anne Landers 8:46pm December 12, 2009)
Absolutely! I believe in magic!
(Brenda Rupp 9:40pm December 12, 2009)
Magic exists everyday. We've just become to busy, to cynical, to consumed with jobs, families, finances to notice. It's a glorious oppertunity to look for the magic and to enjoy the gift. I've always been partial to Cinderella. Glass slipper and all.
(Maude Allen 9:52pm December 12, 2009)
I canremember my MOM reading Cinderella to me when I was a little girl. I wish she was here today and could read it to my grandchildren. It' an all time favorite with children and adults.
(Evelyn Day 10:23pm December 12, 2009)
cross between cinderella or sleeping beauty, humm i guess i would have to pick Cinderella, why because I love rags to riches love stories or in her case it would have to be riches to rags to riches again. lol. Plus i love after all the abuse shes had to put up with threw the years from her step mother and sisters its great she sticks it to them in the end.
(April Kirby 11:05pm December 12, 2009)
Actually, two of my least favorite princesses - one so passive, one even more passive by way of being ASLEEP while the prince does all the work! I'm happy to see contemporary authors reinterpret this classic tales with a modern spin. My friend Maureen McGovern has a fantastic Cinderella tale coming out in 2010
(Maya Missani 11:06pm December 12, 2009)
I can't wait to see the The Princess and the Frog! My favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast. I love Chip, Mrs Potts and all the characters in that story.
(Lisa Glidewell 12:07pm December 13, 2009)
Cinderella gets my vote. I have always loved the idea of someone who has been through so much suffering and still remained sweet and kind being rewarded for it. I also am a sucker for a Beauty and the Beast story as well. What a beautiful story.
(Cherie Japp 12:28pm December 13, 2009)
Of course magic exists! It's all around us, and in us.
As for the fairy tale, I have to choose Ashenputtel/Cinderella, but I'll go back to the original Grimm Brothers version, thank you very much!
Later,
Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 5:22pm December 13, 2009)
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite. Nothing compares.
(Summer Sharp 6:10pm December 13, 2009)
I, too, prefer the original stories. (My mother used to tell me the originals had "morals", as in: the moral of the story...) I always thought Disney's versions sanitized and overly sweet. At least in the original Beauty & the Beast, the heroine was a human who took action and tried to solve problems. No magic but that of love.
(Susan Driskill 9:09pm December 13, 2009)
Cinderella is my all time fav fairy tale. I really do believe in magic. Thanks, Sue
(Susan Hussein 11:49pm December 13, 2009)
I grew up with the "original" German versions of the tales by the brothers Grimm. However, Snow White was the first movie I ever saw. I guess Cinderella is the one of the two mentioned here that I like the best too, even if it sometimes seems a little too saccharine. But I like the fact that good triumphs over evil: after all, that's what we want most from our stories.
(Sigrun Schulz 2:33am December 14, 2009)
Cinderella all the way. No matter which version I read or watch, it never fails to enchant.
(Theresa Buckholtz 10:17pm December 15, 2009)
Cinderella is my all time favorite.
(Rebecca Booth 11:14pm December 15, 2009)
It's kind of a turkey pageant between those two heroines, but Sleeping Beauty is my choice. Sleeping Beauty is truly a victim. There wasn't anything she could do once the ire of her cranky neighbor was earned, but Cinderella just waits for everything to happen to her. I get that she had no choice but to live with the Uglies, but at least spit in their food or put fleas in their beds, something. She doesn't do anything without her Fairy Godmother, and that's just to engineer her future with a stranger, who, fingers crossed, will save her.
When presented with a FGM with bibbidy-bobbidi-boo powers, she just let her FGM choose what course her life would take. Why not ask for some wicked fighting skills to take on the Uglies, or some mad crazy crafting skills so she could establish her own household exclusive of them altogether? Nope. She gets to be pretty so the Prince will rescue her.
A little initiative on her part would be awesome. That said, I LOVE Drew Barrymore's Cinderella in Ever After. Definitely NOT a victim.
Plus, here's the thing with Cinderella v. Sleeping Beauty that clinches it for me: Sleeping beauty sleeps, presumably comfortably and without 100-year morning breath. Not too shabby as far as horrible revenge plots. And yes, there's not too much on her part until she gets kissed awake.
However....
Cinderella has to DANCE IN GLASS SLIPPERS UNTIL midnight. Unless her prince was Prince Hugh Jackman, there is absolutely no man worth that! And what kind of Cobbler de Sade even comes up with the idea of GLASS shoes... foot binding too tame for him? I wouldn't be surprised if the whole midnight curfew was just a ploy for her to get out of those horrible things.
And also, who's to say that Cinderella is trading up? The story kind of ends with her presumed HEA, but not a whole lot of background on the prince is given in either the Disney or Grimm's versions, the only thing he paid attention to about her was her horrible shoes. He does
(Joelle Wallace 4:53am December 23, 2009)
he doesn't even get her rudimentary facts, like name, nor does he notice anything that will narrow down the search for her when she loses (ditches) her shoe.
Blech, give me Beauty and the Beast, the original Grimm's version any day over either of those two.
(Joelle Wallace 4:58am December 23, 2009)
Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!
| 
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy