Cinderella Critical Essay

Question (the question is the focus for your essay, every essay needs a question as it tells you what to write about and discuss in your essay.)• Discuss how the film ‘Cinderella’ could

be described as a traditional fairy tale and how the filmmakers have used character, key incidents, setting and colour to emphasise the genre.

IntroductionAll essays must begin with an introduction. In your introduction you should include:

• Name of film (Cinderella)• Maker of film (Disney)• Very short summary of what the film is

about• What your essay is going to look at

(refer to the question)

Characters

• How do the characters help show us that ‘Cinderella’ is a traditional fairy tale?

• You should look at a minimum of 2 characters.

• Each character needs its own paragraph

• You can choose from the following…

CinderellaStatement –

The character of Cinderella helps to portray the film ‘Cinderella’ as a traditional fairy tale.

Example – Give an example of how she does

this• She is kind• Loving• Helpful• BeautifulAnd when we see an example of this.Analyse –

How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a fairy tale. What do we expect?

The Ugly SistersStatement – • The characters of the ugly

sisters help to portray the film ‘Cinderella’ as a traditional fairy tale.

Example – • Give an example of how they

do this• Jealous• Mean• Ugly• SillyAnd when we see an example

ofthis.

Analyse – How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a fairy tale. What do we expect?

Fairy GodmotherStatement –

The character of the fairy godmother helps to portray the film ‘Cinderella’ as a traditional fairy tale.

Example – Give an example of how she does this

• Helpful• Friendly• Problem Solver• DizzyAnd when we see an example of this.

• Analyse – How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a fairy tale. What do we expect?

Evil or Wicked Step-motherStatement –

The character of the evil or wicked step-mother helps to portray the film ‘Cinderella’ as a traditional fairy tale.

Example – Give an example of how she does this:

• Evil• Cunning• MeanAnd when we see an example of

this.

• Analyse – How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a fairy tale. What do we expect?

Prince CharmingStatement –

The character of Prince Charming helps to portray the film ‘Cinderella’ as a traditional fairy tale.

Example – Give an example of how he does this:

• Handsome• Prince• Kind• FairAnd when we see an example of

this.

• Analyse – How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a fairy tale. What do we expect?

Key Incidents

You need to discuss how key incidents makes ‘Cinderella’ a traditional fairy tale. What happens in the story that is what you would expect to see in a fairy tale?

Write a paragraph for each of the following examples.

At the beginning Cinderella is treated like a slave and is

miserable.Statement – The key

incident in the story which portrays the film ‘Cinderella’ as a traditional fairy tale is when Cinderella is treated like a slave at the beginning and the fact she is miserable

Evidence – Give an example of this

Analysis – Why is this what we would expect of a fairy tale?

Cinderella is bullied by her ugly sisters and wicked step-mother• Statement – The

key incident in the story which portrays the film ‘Cinderella’ as a traditional fairy tale is when Cinderella is bullied by her ugly sisters and step-mother

• Evidence – Give an example of this

• Analysis – Why is this what we would expect of a fairy tale?

Cinderella ends up with Prince Charming

• Statement – The key incident in the story which portrays the film ‘Cinderella’ as a traditional fairy tale is when Cinderella ends up with Prince Charming.

• Analysis – Why is this what we would expect of a fairy tale?

Setting

You need to discuss how setting (places where the story takes place) makes ‘Cinderella’ a traditional fairy tale. What is about about those laces that you expect to see in a fairy tale?

Write a paragraph for each of the following examples.

Cinderella’s House• Statement – The of

Cinderella’s house portrays the film ‘Cinderella’ as a traditional fairy tale (she is like a prisoner in a dark, small cell-like room)

• Analysis – What it is like and why is this what we would expect of a fairy tale?

The Palace!• Statement – Prince

Charming’s palace portrays the film ‘Cinderella’ as a traditional fairy tale (It is grand, beautiful, just what Cinderella deserves)

• Analysis – What it is like and why is this what we would expect of a fairy tale?

The next two paragraphs are optional – only complete them if you want to give it a go! If you choose not to go straight

to the conclusion.

ColourStatement – Colour is used

symbolically (it represents something else) in the film Cinderella

Evidence – Discuss when the dark colours are used

Analysis – What do the dark colours represent? What is important about where and when they are used? How does this contribute to making ‘Cinderella’ a traditional fairy tale?

Colour

Statement – Colour is used symbolically (it represents something else) in the film Cinderella

Evidence – Discuss when the bright colours are used

Analysis – What do the bright colours represent? What is important about where and when they are used? How does this contribute to making ‘Cinderella’ a traditional fairy tale?

Conclusion

Every essay must have a conclusion. It sums up and rounds off your essay.

In your conclusion you must…

• Briefly summarise what you have discussed in the main essy, describing why ‘Cinderella’ fits the traditional fairy tale format

• Say what you think of fairy tales (good or bad) and give reasons for why you think this