Aschenputtel Versus Cendrillon

"Aschenputtel" versus "Cendrillon"

Charles Perrault's "Cinderella" and Wilhelm and Jacob Grimms' "Aschenputtel" both feature a mistreated, yet kind female character, despite overwhelming obstacles, attends a ball and marries a prince. However, the similarities between these two versions of the fairy tale end here. While Perrault's version emphasizes the moral and materialistic concerns of his middle-class audience, Grimms' focus is on the harsh realities of life associated with the peasant culture.

Perrault immediately connects with the materialistic values of his middle-class audience as he describes in detail the pampered lifestyle of Cinderella's step-sisters who get to buy and wear the newest fashions. Once invited to the ball, the step-sisters contemplate what they will wear. '"I will wear my red velvet suit with French trimming,"' says the eldest (235). While Perrault describes in detail the pampered lifestyle of this middle-class family, he does not say much about the appearance of Cinderella.

While Cinderella's clothing is of little interest to the audience, her kind-heartedness, sweetness, and goodness are values desired by all the middle-class. When called upon to prepare her unkind step-sisters for the ball, we are told that Cinderella did a good job despite what they put her through because she was good-natured. She was constantly abused by her step-mother and step-sisters. They verbally abused her and made her responsible for all of the housework. Cinderella scoured the dishes, tables, and cleaned the madam's chamber. She slept in a sorry garret on a wretched straw bed while her sisters slept in fine rooms. When Cinderella finished all of her work, she would go to the chimney corner and sit on the cinders and ashes which caused her to be called Cinderwench. She was more of a maid than a member of the family. Despite all of this abuse, she still kept a good manner and went about her work. Cinderella was also a very intelligent, courageous, and beautiful young woman. She had all the qualities that women of the time wanted. "However, event these may fail to bring you success, without the blessing of a godfather or a godmother," (239). This was another lesson taught by Perrault. After arriving at the ball with the help of a fairy godmother, and winning the affection of the desirable prince, Cinderella still treated her sisters with kindness. Her rare goodness allows for a "happily-ever-after" ending when, after Cinderella marries the prince, she forgives her step-sisters (despite the evil they brought upon her), and invites them to live with her at the palace. "Beauty in a woman is a rare treasure that will always be admired. Graciousness, however, is priceless and even greater value," (239). So too is forgiveness. This is what Perrault is trying to tell his audience. This is what young women see when they read this story.

Perrault's version is best represented in the Walt Disney movie that we are all familiar with. It evokes warm feelings as it takes the audience back to their early childhood days. Cinderella was a beautiful, well-mannered lady with a good heart after which all girls could model themselves.

While Perrault's "Cinderella", with its happy ending, may bring warmth to our hearts, Grimms' "Aschenputtle" leaves the reader feeling cold. In fact, from the opening paragraph, the tale is dark and likewise begins with the death of Aschenputtle's mother, which is not mentioned in Perrault's "Cinderella." Aschenputtel's world fell apart when she was deprived of the only person who cared for her. She was helpless after the death because she had no one to lean on. Her support system died along with her