Cinderella Is (still) A Heroine

Cinderella is (still) a heroine

Recently Keira Knightley mentioned that she doesn't allow her children to watch Cinderella, because "she did nothing and waited for a man to save her". Because she isn't "feminist" enough. Emma Watson too made about the same comments a few years back when she rejected the role of Cinderella. To be honest, I was extremely disappointed with both actresses's interpretation of the character, a bit more with Watson, because she is a UN ambassador for women. Cinderella is a domestic slave in a male dominated society. She's an orphan, her remaining(all female too! ) family appears to be financially unstable, and yes, she's a servant. Do you know how many women are actually in the same position today? MILLIONS. Moving on, with one of my favourite quotes about Cinderella: she didn't ask for a prince. She asked for a dress and a night off. She had every right to be at that ball, she even worked hard to be there, and yet her stepmother and sisters still found a way to sabotage her. Enter deus ex machina: the fairy godmother. Because social services didn't really exist at the time. She gets to the ball, she has fun, she even gets to meet the prince, and yet when her time is up, she just goes home. She doesn't beg anyone to take her in, she doesn't ask the prince to save her. Why? Maybe she's still too traumatised and scared to actually escape. Maybe she thinks she isn't worth that much anymore. So, home she goes, back to cleaning and cooking. This is where I'll stop narrating. This is enough. This is a story that has been true, is still true, and sadly will be true for countless young women. So, Keira and Emma, please tell me: what is a "strong woman" supposed to do when faced with poverty, abuse and has no access to education, welfare or even just a better job? Why does Cinderella have to be a role model, when she is in fact a victim? All these women in sweatshops, in the fields, in the kitchens of rich men's mansions, would really like to know: I'm I not "good enough" as a woman?