Traditional Literature-Review 2

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY
San Souci, Robert E. 1998. Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella. Ill. by Brian Pinkey. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 068980668X

2.PLOT SUMMARY
This variation of the tale of Cinderella takes place in the Caribbean and like some other variations, is narrated by a specific character. Cendrillon’s nanny, a washerwoman, tells the story of how she becomes the little girl’s nanny when her mother dies shortly after birth. Cendrillon’s father remarries a “cold woman” who shortly after marriage gives birth to Vitalia, Cendrillon’s stepsister. As a child growing up, Cendrillon is victim to the loathing behaviors of her stepmother and stepsister: washing the family’s laundry at the river, eating scraps, and sleeping on a straw pallet. One day Cendrillon approaches her nanny in despair since she aspires to go to a birthday celebration of a boy who is “like a prince”. The nanny is able to accompany a magically transformed version of Cendrillon to the party. The nanny uses a magic wand that had been presented to her as a gift from her dying mother to change ordinary objects into whatever she desires. At the celebration, Cendrillon mesmerizes everyone including Paul, the birthday boy, with whom she dances until the clock strikes to announce the nearing of midnight. Cendrillon and her nanny rush out just in time. Days later Paul visits the home of Cendrillon and her stepfamily looking for the lady who will fit into the slipper left behind at the celebration. Cendrillon, who is “sick with a broken hear” is persuaded by her nanny to approach Paul and try on the slipper. Being a perfect fit for her, Paul and Cendrillon marry thereafter.

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In this revisiting of the classical Cinderella fairytale, Cendrillon’s character is the epitome of virtue, benevolence, and conscientiousness we so much desire in members of a society. Although she knows that the wicked treatment given to her by her stepfamily is undeserved, at her young age she realizes that “the work hurts my hands but not my heart” and she does not reveal any negative emotions or desires of vengeance towards her family. Furthermore, even as an adolescent she is able to reflect upon the effects of her acts realizing that Paul did not truly fall in love with Cendrillon, but with the transformation that occurred “under the spell of your wand”. The narrative voice of Cendrillon’s nanny provides a distinct insight into the background events and emotions unknown by readers through the reading of other versions. The author’s unique variations used to relate the story include details found distinctively in the French/Creole cultural influence of the island of Martinique in the Caribbean: French vocabulary, character attire, the washing of clothing at the river, Cendrillon’s embroidered slipper rather than a glass one, the use of a turban upon Cendrillon’s head, etc. The style of realism set forth by Brian Pinkey’s illustrations reinforces the text, setting, and culture of this tale.

4.REVIEW (EXCERPTS)
BOOKLIST starred review: “There are many variations of the Cinderella story, and this version, set on the island of Martinique, is particularly vibrant, both in its melodious language and its spirited art.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “San Souci's retelling of the Cinderella story in a Martinique mode has music to it that cannot be denied.”

5.CONNECTIONS
-Students can assume the role of any other character and rewrite the story from this character’s point of view.
-Include in geographic study of the Caribbean.
-Venn diagram to compare and contrast two versions of Cinderella.
-Other variations of Cinderella
Climo, Shirley. The EgyptianCinderella. ISBN: 0064432793
Louie, Ai-Ling. Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China. ISBN: 0698113888
Hickox, Rebecca. Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story. ISBN: 0823415139