Cinderella Paper

After reading the Perrault, Grimm, Chinese, and African versions of Cinderella in your textbook, discuss what you feel is the formula of the Cinderella story.  What makes a narrative a Cinderella tale?  What elements does it need to have in order to be classified as a Cinderella story?  How does Georgy Girl  fit into the formula of a Cinderella story?  What “Cinderella” elements does it have?  How does it differ from the other Cinderella stories you read?  How is your understanding of Georgy Girl altered by looking at it as a Cinderella story?  How does viewing Georgy Girl change or expand your understanding of the Cinderella story?

What I will be grading:

  • Thesis—You should focus your essay around a strong statement of thesis that illuminates something about the connection between the Cinderella stories and Georgy Girl.
  • Development of points—You shouldn’t just give a laundry list of similarities and differences between the stories and the film. Instead, you should be able to explain the reasons for and/or the significance of those similarities and differences.
  • Specific support—Don’t make vague generalizations.  Support your points with specific references to the stories and the film.
  • Organization—Your points should be arranged in a logical order.

Points to remember:

  1. You must properly cite (parenthetical and works cited page) all sources, including the film.
  2. Your essay should be approximately 1000-1500 words.
  3. Authors, both male and female, are referred to by their last names, i.e. “Haskell points out that women’s films…”
  4. Spell check and proofread.  Sloppiness, although not my primary concern, detracts from your authority as a writer and my enjoyment of your essay.

Due:  Wednesday, February 11

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