Literary Lens Chart
Short Story
Biographical/Historical Lens
Psychological Lens
Gender Lens
Chicken Hips
Cinderella
Cinderella
Cinderella
What aspects or events of the story would you apply this lens to?
The step sisters compete with each other and Cinderella to get the Prince’s attention
The step mother tells her daughter to mutilate their feet so the glass slipper would fit their feet
Select a quotation related to one of these aspects or events and explain its meaning from the perspective of the lens.
“Why should that stupid goose sit in the parlor with us? they said. If she wants to eat bread, then she will have to earn it. Out with this kitchen maid.”
The step sisters try to keep Cinderella at a distance. She is defined as a kitchen maid which suggests that her looks and her place in the family keep her from having power.
As you look at the story from this lens, what questions emerge?
How do the female characters feel about the expectations that are placed on them about how they should look and dress?
Do they agree with these expectations or do they follow them out of obligation?
Do you think this lens adds to your understanding of the story? Why or why not?
Yes, the gender expectations influence the character’s actions and behaviour
Are there any voices that have been ignored when this lens is used? Explain
How do the step sisters feel about cutting off parts of their feet? Their mother tells them to do it, but how do they feel doing it?
Critical Analysis Presentation Outline
What is your main idea?
Does your main idea explain why you chose this literary lens? Explain.
How does your main idea explain what new understanding you are trying to convey to the reader?
Is your main idea relevant and significant for your analysis? Explain.
Applying the gender lens to Cinderella, I am better able to understand that Cinderella is actually a sexist story where women are seen as greedy, cruel, pretty or passive and suggests that the only way for women to get ahead is to let themselves be abused and wait for help from someone else.
Include three (3) quotations from the story to support your main idea.
Explain how each one supports your main idea.
“Why should that stupid goose sit in the parlor with us? they said. If she wants to eat bread, then she will have to earn it. Out with this kitchen maid.”
The step sisters try to keep Cinderella at a distance. She is defined as a kitchen maid which suggests that her looks and her place in the family keep her from having power.
“The prince approached her, took her by the hand, and danced with her. Furthermore he would dance, with no one else. He never let go of her hand, and whenever anyone else came and asked her to dance, he would say ‘She is my dance partner.”
The prince “falls in love” with her because she is the most beautiful. He only cares about her appearance. Other men ask her to dance, but he doesn’t allow them; she has gone from being her father’s property to the property of the prince. She has no say in who she dances with. He doesn’t even know her name, so how exactly does he fall in love with her?
“Then her mother gave her a knife, and said, ‘Cut a piece off your heel. When you are queen you will no longer have to go on food.”
The mother is willing to mutilate her daughters in order to get them to advance and marry a good man – again, none of the women actually support each other.
Conclusion
How are you going to end your analysis?
What do you want your audience to know when you are finished?
Females are shown as either powerless, innocent, or cruel people who betray each other.The loss of their eyes is presented as a just punishment, but all they were trying to do was move up in society.
Pre-Recorded Audio Presentation
Critical Analysis of Cinderella: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aIvUaV4ohd1haE7inFMn4a-l-hG7-tDN/view?usp=sharing
Works Cited
Conrad, Ronald. The act of writing:Canadian essays for composition, 5th ed. Toronto:
McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1999, pp.195-197. Originally appeared in The Globe and Mail,
March 20, 1991.
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