Anne Sexton's "Cinderella" is a retelling of the classic fairy tale, but with a feminist twist. In this poem, Sexton challenges the traditional gender roles and power dynamics present in the original story, presenting a Cinderella who is more self-assured and assertive than the passive, submissive character we are used to seeing.
The poem begins with the familiar image of Cinderella as a downtrodden servant, forced to do all the menial tasks in the household while her stepmother and stepsisters treat her cruelly. However, rather than simply accepting her fate, Sexton's Cinderella actively resists her circumstances, declaring "I am the girl / who won't do what she's told." This defiance sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Cinderella refuses to be a victim and instead takes control of her own destiny.
Sexton also subverts the traditional fairy tale trope of the prince as the hero who rescues Cinderella from her plight. In this version, it is Cinderella who saves herself, using her intelligence and wit to outsmart her stepmother and stepsisters and win the prince's heart. She does this not by relying on the prince's help, but by using her own resources and determination.
Furthermore, Sexton's Cinderella is not defined by her beauty or her relationship to men, but rather by her own agency and self-worth. She is a complex and fully realized character, rather than a one-dimensional princess waiting to be saved.
In "Cinderella," Sexton offers a refreshing and empowering take on a familiar story. By challenging traditional gender roles and presenting a strong, independent female protagonist, she encourages readers to think critically about the messages conveyed in fairy tales and to embrace their own agency and self-worth.