Cinderella Critical Essay

1. Cinderella Critical Essay

2. 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.

3. Introduction All 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)

4. 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…

5. Cinderella Statement – 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 • Beautiful And when we see an example of this. Analyse – How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a fairy tale. What do we expect?

6. The Ugly Sisters Statement – • 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 • Silly And when we see an example ofthis. Analyse – How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a fairy tale. What do we expect?

7. Fairy Godmother Statement – 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 • Dizzy And when we see an example of this. • Analyse – How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a fairy tale. What do we expect?

8. Evil or Wicked Step-mother Statement – 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 • Mean And when we see an example of this. • Analyse – How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a fairy tale. What do we expect?

9. Prince Charming Statement – 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 • Fair And when we see an example of this. • Analyse – How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a fairy tale. What do we expect?

10. 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.

11. 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?

12. 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?

13. 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?

14. 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.

15. 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?

16. 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?

17. 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.

18. Colour Statement – 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?

19. 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?

20. 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