'Cinderella' by Robert Service
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Cinderella in the street
In a ragged gown,
Sloven slippers on her feet,
Shames our tidy town;
Harsh her locks of ashen grey,
Vapour vague her stare,
By the curb this bitter day
Selling papers there.
Cinderella once was sweet,
Fine and lily fair,
Silver slippers on her feet,
Ribands in her hair;
Solid men besought her hand,
Tart was she as quince,
Living in a fairy land,
Waiting for a Prince.
Days went by and years went by,
Wistful wan was she;
Heedless of a mother's sigh,
Of a lover's plea;
On her lips a carol gay,
In her heart a dream -
Soon the Prince would come her way,
Gallant and agleam.
Then at last she learned the truth,
How her hope was vain;
Gone her beauty, gone her youth,
Leaving want and pain.
See! she's waiting all alone;
Hark! you hear her cry
Papers by the cold curb-stone,
Begging you to buy.
Winter winds are waxing chill,
Clouds rack overhead;
Cinderella will be ill,
Bye and bye be dead.
Yet she kept her vision clear,
To Romance was true,
Holding him forever dear
Whom she never knew.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Cinderellas of to-day
Take no chance of loss;
When a good guy comes your way,
Nail him to the cross.
Let some ordinary cuss
Your coy heart convince;
Never miss the nuptial bus
Waiting for a Prince.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Cinderella: A Poem of Power, Love, and Transformation
Do you remember the story of Cinderella, the girl who endured cruelty and oppression but eventually found her true love and happiness? For many of us, this fairy tale is a cherished childhood memory, an enchanting narrative of magic and hope. But have you ever thought about the deeper meanings and messages behind it? Have you ever considered the ways in which Cinderella's story reflects and challenges our cultural values, social norms, and personal aspirations?
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the classic poem Cinderella written by Robert Service, a renowned Canadian poet, and reveal its rich layers of symbolism, imagery, and language. I will argue that Cinderella is not just a simple tale of a passive girl who waits for a prince to rescue her, but a complex and dynamic narrative of power, love, and transformation, where Cinderella emerges as a strong and empowering figure who navigates and transcends the limitations imposed on her by her family, society, and gender.
Summary of the Poem
Before we dive into the analysis of the poem, let's first summarize its plot and structure. Cinderella is a narrative poem composed of seven stanzas, each consisting of four lines with a rhyme scheme of ABCB. The poem begins with a description of Cinderella's pitiful situation in her home, where she is relegated to the status of a servant and constantly mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. Then, the poem introduces the fairy godmother, who appears as a magical and transformative figure that grants Cinderella's wishes and helps her attend the royal ball. At the ball, Cinderella captures the attention and affection of the prince, but has to flee at midnight, leaving behind only a glass slipper as a token of her identity. The prince searches for the owner of the slipper, and eventually finds Cinderella, who puts on the slipper and becomes his bride. The poem ends with a description of their happy and prosperous life together, where Cinderella is elevated to the status of a queen and her former oppressors are punished and humiliated.
Analysis of the Poem
Now, let's examine the poem more closely and identify its key themes, motifs, and symbols.
Power and Oppression
One of the central themes of Cinderella is power and oppression, and how they are intertwined with gender, class, and authority. From the beginning of the poem, we see how Cinderella is subjected to a state of subordination and exploitation, where her stepmother and stepsisters treat her as a mere object of labor and ridicule. She has to do all the housework, wear rags, and endure their insults and abuse. This situation reflects the patriarchal and hierarchical structures of society, where women and lower classes are often marginalized and exploited.
However, the poem also shows how Cinderella resists and challenges this oppression, albeit in a subtle and strategic way. She does not complain or rebel openly, but instead maintains her dignity and kindness, and even finds solace in nature and her dreams. She sings to the birds, talks to the mice, and wishes for a better life. This shows how power and agency can take different forms, and how even the seemingly powerless can have an inner strength and resilience.
Magic and Transformation
Another important theme of Cinderella is magic and transformation, and how they can disrupt and defy the norms and expectations of society. The fairy godmother is the embodiment of this theme, as she appears as a supernatural and benevolent force that transforms Cinderella's appearance and destiny. She turns a pumpkin into a carriage, mice into horses, and Cinderella's rags into a beautiful gown. This magic not only allows Cinderella to attend the ball and meet the prince, but also challenges the restrictions and boundaries imposed on her by her family and society.
Moreover, the magic and transformation in Cinderella also symbolize the power of imagination and creativity, as well as the importance of dreams and aspirations. Cinderella's wish to go to the ball and be recognized for her beauty and worth is not just a fantasy, but a reflection of her inner desires and potentials. The fairy godmother's magic helps her to actualize these potentials, and to reveal the true Cinderella hidden behind the mask of oppression and invisibility.
Love and Identity
A third theme of Cinderella is love and identity, and how they are intertwined with appearance, status, and authenticity. The prince is attracted to Cinderella not only because of her beauty, but also because of her grace, charm, and intelligence. He does not recognize her as the servant girl he saw before, but as a noble lady who matches his own qualities and values. This shows how love can transcend the superficial and external aspects of identity, and how it can reveal the inner qualities and virtues of a person.
However, the identity of Cinderella is also a source of tension and ambiguity, as she has to hide her true self and escape from the ball before she is recognized by the prince or her stepfamily. The glass slipper becomes a symbol of her identity, as it is the only object that can prove her authenticity and distinguish her from the impostors. This shows how appearance and status can be deceiving and misleading, and how the search for identity and recognition can be a challenging and transformative journey.
Language and Imagery
Apart from these themes and motifs, Cinderella also displays a rich and vivid use of language and imagery. Service's poetry is known for its rhythm, rhyme, and musicality, and Cinderella is no exception. The poem has a simple and catchy structure, with a clear and consistent meter and rhyme scheme. This makes it easy to remember and recite, and adds to its charm and accessibility.
Moreover, the language and imagery of Cinderella are full of sensory and emotional details, which create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. The descriptions of the nature, the animals, the costumes, and the dance all contribute to the ambiance and atmosphere of the poem, and help to convey the emotions and meanings of the story. The use of alliteration, assonance, and repetition also adds to the musicality and resonance of the poem, and creates a sense of unity and coherence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cinderella is not just a fairy tale, but a powerful and meaningful poem that reflects and challenges our cultural values, social norms, and personal aspirations. It shows how power and oppression can coexist with agency and resistance, how magic and transformation can disrupt and transcend boundaries and restrictions, and how love and identity can reveal and transform our inner selves. It also displays a rich and vivid use of language and imagery, which makes it an enjoyable and memorable work of art. Cinderella remains a timeless and universal narrative that speaks to our hearts and minds, and inspires us to believe in our own potentials and dreams.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Cinderella: A Timeless Tale of Hope and Resilience
Robert Service's Cinderella is a classic poem that tells the story of a young girl who overcomes adversity and finds true love. The poem is a timeless tale of hope and resilience that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with a description of Cinderella's life before she meets the prince. She is portrayed as a poor and mistreated girl who is forced to do all the household chores while her stepsisters enjoy a life of luxury. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the story:
In the kitchen, where the fire burns bright, The maid and the cook were at it all night; Oh, the fire burns bright, and the kettle sings, And they talk and they sing of such wonderful things.
The use of imagery in these lines creates a vivid picture of the kitchen and the hard work that Cinderella is forced to do. The repetition of the phrase "the fire burns bright" emphasizes the warmth and comfort that Cinderella finds in her work, despite the difficult circumstances.
As the poem progresses, we see Cinderella's resilience and determination to overcome her situation. She dreams of a better life and finds solace in the beauty of nature:
She looked at the sky, so soft and blue, And she wished for wings to fly away too; She looked at the flowers, so bright and fair, And she wished that she too was growing there.
The use of personification in these lines gives life to the sky and the flowers, making them seem like characters in the story. Cinderella's longing for freedom and beauty is a universal theme that resonates with readers of all ages.
The turning point in the poem comes when Cinderella meets the prince at the ball. The scene is described in vivid detail, with the use of sensory imagery creating a magical atmosphere:
The hall was a dazzle of diamonds and gold, And the music was sweet, and the lights were bold; And there in the midst of the glitter and gleam, Stood Cinderella, a dream in a dream.
The use of alliteration in these lines creates a musical quality that mirrors the music at the ball. The repetition of the letter "d" in "dazzle of diamonds and gold" and "dream in a dream" adds to the dreamlike quality of the scene.
The prince is immediately drawn to Cinderella, and they dance together all night. The use of repetition in the lines "They danced and they danced, and they danced some more" emphasizes the joy and happiness that Cinderella feels in the prince's company.
However, the happiness is short-lived, as Cinderella must leave the ball before midnight. The use of foreshadowing in the lines "But the clock struck twelve, and she had to go" creates a sense of impending doom, as we know that Cinderella's time with the prince is limited.
The final stanza of the poem is a powerful conclusion to the story. Cinderella's resilience and determination are rewarded, as she is reunited with the prince and they live happily ever after:
And the prince, he searched the whole world through, Till he found Cinderella, his love so true; And they lived in a palace of joy and delight, And danced all day and danced all night.
The use of hyperbole in the lines "And they lived in a palace of joy and delight, and danced all day and danced all night" emphasizes the happiness and fulfillment that Cinderella finds in her new life with the prince.
In conclusion, Robert Service's Cinderella is a timeless tale of hope and resilience that has captured the hearts of readers for generations. The poem uses vivid imagery, sensory language, and literary devices such as repetition and foreshadowing to create a magical atmosphere and convey the deeper themes of the story. Cinderella's journey from a mistreated servant to a beloved princess is a testament to the power of perseverance and the belief in a better future.
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