'Cinderella' by Anne Sexton

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You always read about it:
the plumber with the twelve children
who wins the Irish Sweepstakes.
From toilets to riches.
That story.Or the nursemaid,
some luscious sweet from Denmark
who captures the oldest son's heart.
from diapers to Dior.
That story.Or a milkman who serves the wealthy,
eggs, cream, butter, yogurt, milk,
the white truck like an ambulance
who goes into real estate
and makes a pile.
From homogenized to martinis at lunch.Or the charwoman
who is on the bus when it cracks up
and collects enough from the insurance.
From mops to Bonwit Teller.
That story.Once
the wife of a rich man was on her deathbed
and she said to her daughter Cinderella:
Be devout. Be good. Then I will smile
down from heaven in the seam of a cloud.
The man took another wife who had
two daughters, pretty enough
but with hearts like blackjacks.
Cinderella was their maid.
She slept on the sooty hearth each night
and walked around looking like Al Jolson.
Her father brought presents home from town,
jewels and gowns for the other women
but the twig of a tree for Cinderella.
She planted that twig on her mother's grave
and it grew to a tree where a white dove sat.
Whenever she wished for anything the dove
would drop it like an egg upon the ground.
The bird is important, my dears, so heed him.Next came the ball, as you all know.
It was a marriage market.
The prince was looking for a wife.
All but Cinderella were preparing
and gussying up for the event.
Cinderella begged to go too.
Her stepmother threw a dish of lentils
into the cinders and said: Pick them
up in an hour and you shall go.
The white dove brought all his friends;
all the warm wings of the fatherland came,
and picked up the lentils in a jiffy.
No, Cinderella, said the stepmother,
you have no clothes and cannot dance.
That's the way with stepmothers.Cinderella went to the tree at the grave
and cried forth like a gospel singer:
Mama! Mama! My turtledove,
send me to the prince's ball!
The bird dropped down a golden dress
and delicate little slippers.
Rather a large package for a simple bird.
So she went. Which is no surprise.
Her stepmother and sisters didn't
recognize her without her cinder face
and the prince took her hand on the spot
and danced with no other the whole day.As nightfall came she thought she'd better
get home. The prince walked her home
and she disappeared into the pigeon house
and although the prince took an axe and broke
it open she was gone. Back to her cinders.
These events repeated themselves for three days.
However on the third day the prince
covered the palace steps with cobbler's wax
and Cinderella's gold shoe stuck upon it.
Now he would find whom the shoe fit
and find his strange dancing girl for keeps.
He went to their house and the two sisters
were delighted because they had lovely feet.
The eldest went into a room to try the slipper on
but her big toe got in the way so she simply
sliced it off and put on the slipper.
The prince rode away with her until the white dove
told him to look at the blood pouring forth.
That is the way with amputations.
They just don't heal up like a wish.
The other sister cut off her heel
but the blood told as blood will.
The prince was getting tired.
He began to feel like a shoe salesman.
But he gave it one last try.
This time Cinderella fit into the shoe
like a love letter into its envelope.At the wedding ceremony
the two sisters came to curry favor
and the white dove pecked their eyes out.
Two hollow spots were left
like soup spoons.Cinderella and the prince
lived, they say, happily ever after,
like two dolls in a museum case
never bothered by diapers or dust,
never arguing over the timing of an egg,
never telling the same story twice,
never getting a middle-aged spread,
their darling smiles pasted on for eternity.
Regular Bobbsey Twins.
That story.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Cinderella by Anne Sexton

Introduction

Cinderella is a classic poem written by Anne Sexton that explores the themes of beauty, wealth, and power. The poem is based on the fairytale of Cinderella, but Sexton's version takes a darker turn, revealing the harsh realities of life and the struggles that women face in patriarchal societies.

Through the use of vivid imagery and symbolism, Sexton delves into the psyche of the protagonist, Cinderella, and depicts her as a victim of societal norms and expectations. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem in detail and uncover the hidden meanings and messages that Sexton conveys.

Analysis

Structure

The poem is divided into four stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The structure is consistent throughout the poem, and the consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme create a musical quality that underscores the theme of the fairytale.

The use of the fairytale structure also serves to highlight the contrast between the idealized version of Cinderella and the harsh reality of her life.

Imagery

Sexton uses vivid imagery to bring the fairytale to life and to explore the inner workings of Cinderella's mind. The imagery is often dark and unsettling, reflecting the pain and suffering that Cinderella experiences.

For example, in the first stanza, Sexton writes:

Cinderella and the prince lived, they say, happily ever after, like two dolls in a museum case never bothered by diapers or dust, never arguing over the timing of an egg, never telling the same story twice,

The imagery of the "two dolls in a museum case" creates a sense of artificiality and perfection that contrasts with the reality of Cinderella's life. The dolls are static and lifeless, suggesting that Cinderella is trapped in a preconceived notion of what it means to be happy.

The "timing of an egg" and "telling the same story twice" add a sense of mundanity to the relationship, indicating that the couple is stuck in a routine that lacks passion and spontaneity.

In contrast, the second stanza paints a picture of the harsh reality of Cinderella's life:

But there is something they don't tell you. There is no such thing as a happy ending, least of all for a slave. The prince turns into a husband and Cinderella turns into a wife.

The imagery in this stanza is bleak and foreboding, suggesting that Cinderella's life as a wife is far from the fairytale ending she dreamed of. The use of the word "slave" highlights the power dynamic in the relationship, emphasizing Cinderella's subservience to her husband.

The final stanza is particularly powerful in its use of imagery:

Cinderella, the white slipper lost among many went home, home to her mother's fireplace and the kitchen curse.

The "white slipper lost among many" symbolizes Cinderella's loss of identity and agency, as she is reduced to a single item of clothing. The "kitchen curse" is a reminder of the domesticity and drudgery that Cinderella is forced to endure, further emphasizing her lack of agency.

Symbolism

Sexton also employs symbolism to convey deeper meanings and messages about gender roles and societal expectations. The most prominent symbol in the poem is the slipper, which represents the ideal of beauty and perfection that Cinderella is expected to embody.

The slipper is also a symbol of the patriarchal society in which Cinderella lives, where women are judged solely on their physical appearance and their ability to please men. The slipper becomes a tool of oppression, as Cinderella must conform to its ideal in order to be accepted and valued by society.

Sexton subverts the traditional fairytale by showing the slipper as a source of pain and discomfort for Cinderella. In the final stanza, she writes:

When you grow up, my mother said, you'll wear lipstick. When you grow up, she said, you'll have a pretty dress. She didn't say you'll have a pretty face.

This passage is a commentary on the societal pressure on women to conform to an ideal of beauty and femininity. The focus on appearance rather than inner qualities is a source of frustration and pain for Cinderella, who is denied agency and autonomy in her own life.

Themes

The overarching theme of the poem is the struggle of women to find agency and autonomy in patriarchal societies. Cinderella is a victim of societal norms and expectations, forced to conform to an ideal of beauty and domesticity that denies her true identity.

The poem also explores the theme of gender roles, highlighting the ways in which women are expected to be subservient to men and to sacrifice their own desires and ambitions for the sake of their husbands and families.

Finally, the poem touches on the theme of the illusion of happiness, suggesting that the fairytale ending is a myth perpetuated by society to maintain the status quo. The reality of Cinderella's life is far from the idealized version, and the poem serves as a warning against the dangers of buying into the fairytale narrative.

Conclusion

Overall, Cinderella is a powerful poem that subverts the traditional fairytale and exposes the harsh realities of life for women in patriarchal societies. Through the use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and dark themes, Anne Sexton delves into the psyche of the protagonist, Cinderella, and reveals the struggles and pain that come with conforming to societal norms and expectations.

The poem serves as a warning against the dangers of buying into the fairytale narrative, and encourages women to seek agency and autonomy in their own lives, rather than conforming to the ideals imposed upon them by society. It is a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Anne Sexton’s “Cinderella” is a classic poem that has been analyzed and interpreted by many scholars and literature enthusiasts. The poem is a retelling of the classic fairy tale, but with a dark and twisted twist. Sexton’s version of Cinderella is not the typical damsel in distress waiting for her prince charming to rescue her. Instead, she is a strong and independent woman who takes control of her own destiny.

The poem begins with the familiar opening line, “Cinderella and the prince lived, they say, happily ever after, like two dolls in a museum case never bothered by diapers or dust, never arguing over the timing of an egg, never telling the same story twice, never getting a middle-aged spread, their darling smiles pasted on for eternity.” However, Sexton quickly shatters this idyllic image by stating, “But every night the prince would wake up to find that he was back in the forest. He could never remember where it was that he had been the night before.”

This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a dark and twisted retelling of the classic fairy tale. Sexton’s version of Cinderella is not the typical fairy tale princess waiting for her prince charming to rescue her. Instead, she is a strong and independent woman who takes control of her own destiny.

Sexton’s Cinderella is not the typical fairy tale princess waiting for her prince charming to rescue her. Instead, she is a strong and independent woman who takes control of her own destiny.

The poem is divided into five stanzas, each of which tells a different part of the story. In the first stanza, Sexton introduces us to Cinderella and her stepmother and stepsisters. Cinderella is described as “a poor girl” who is “covered in ashes and cinders.” Her stepmother and stepsisters are described as “mean” and “ugly.” Cinderella is forced to do all the housework while her stepsisters go to parties and have fun.

In the second stanza, Cinderella is visited by her fairy godmother, who helps her get ready for the ball. However, Sexton’s version of the fairy godmother is not the typical kind and loving character we are used to. Instead, she is described as “a crazy old lady godmother” who “pulled the mice out of the walls and the rats out of the drains.” She also gives Cinderella a dress made of “spider webs and the dust of the moon.”

In the third stanza, Cinderella goes to the ball and meets the prince. However, Sexton’s version of the prince is not the typical charming and handsome character we are used to. Instead, he is described as “a thin stick” who “looked like the kind of man who would have a mole on his back where you couldn’t see it.” Cinderella and the prince dance together, but at midnight, Cinderella has to leave and she loses her glass slipper.

In the fourth stanza, the prince goes around the kingdom trying to find the owner of the glass slipper. However, Sexton’s version of the prince is not the typical determined and heroic character we are used to. Instead, he is described as “a man who had everything, but still felt like nothing.” He goes to Cinderella’s house and tries the slipper on her stepsisters, but it doesn’t fit. Finally, he tries it on Cinderella and it fits perfectly.

In the final stanza, Cinderella and the prince get married. However, Sexton’s version of the ending is not the typical happy and romantic one we are used to. Instead, she describes the couple as “two dolls in a museum case never bothered by diapers or dust, never arguing over the timing of an egg, never telling the same story twice, never getting a middle-aged spread, their darling smiles pasted on for eternity.”

Sexton’s version of Cinderella is a dark and twisted retelling of the classic fairy tale. She takes the traditional story and turns it on its head, creating a new and unique version of the story. The poem is full of symbolism and imagery, which adds to its depth and complexity.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way Sexton portrays the characters. Cinderella is not the typical fairy tale princess waiting for her prince charming to rescue her. Instead, she is a strong and independent woman who takes control of her own destiny. The prince is not the typical charming and handsome character we are used to. Instead, he is a man who has everything but still feels like nothing.

Another striking aspect of the poem is the way Sexton uses symbolism and imagery. The glass slipper, for example, represents the idea of perfection. Cinderella is the only one who can wear it because she is the only one who is perfect. The spider web dress represents the idea of fragility. Cinderella is fragile, but she is also strong and resilient.

In conclusion, Anne Sexton’s “Cinderella” is a classic poem that has been analyzed and interpreted by many scholars and literature enthusiasts. The poem is a dark and twisted retelling of the classic fairy tale, which turns the traditional story on its head. Sexton’s version of Cinderella is not the typical fairy tale princess waiting for her prince charming to rescue her. Instead, she is a strong and independent woman who takes control of her own destiny. The poem is full of symbolism and imagery, which adds to its depth and complexity. Overall, “Cinderella” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to captivate readers today.

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