Cinderella: A Little Girl's Fondest Dream

Cinderella: A Little Girl's Fondest Dream

Let's be honest here. Every little girl, at one point or another, has dreamed of being Cinderella. Dreamed of being swept away by a handsome prince who loves you for who you are, and not where you come from. Think about the classic Disney movie that you've all seen: a poor unfortunate girl has to spend her days cleaning and serving her evil stepmother and stepsisters. I know I definitely related to her whenever my parents made me do chores. Singing "The Work Song" made me feel a lot better about doing chores, as I imagined little friendly creatures willing to share the load. Then, poof, her magical fairy godmother appears, and with a song, of course, transforms her into a privileged and seemingly perfect princess, just perfect for the handsome prince to marry. All hope seems lost when she has to run away from her new love as the clock strikes midnight, but never fear, the prince has fallen deeply in love with her and they soon become reuinited! Now, there's no more cleaning, and Cinderella finally gets to be happy. The song "Now This is Love", played when the prince and Cinderella are dancing, perfectly represents what every little girl wants out of life: to be loved and cherished, to have a love that will last, make her heart soar, and always be there to lift her up. The song is a waltz, which is often seen as a romantic dance, emphasizing just how important this scene is in setting up a main part of the romantic story line. Love is what "makes life divine" and allows one to have "the key to all heaven".

A musical movement concerned with princesses, pretty dresses, and true love really began with this movie, as well as other Disney classics. How many Disney princesses have you seen on Halloween? And what are they all most probably doing? Singing music from the movies. Music is an easy way to a little girl's heart, and most little girls love to do it. Disney has certainly taken advangtage monetarily of the princess hype. The music in the movies is so popular and well known that Disney has made dolls that sing popular songs, produced CD's of Disney music, and made karaoke sing-alongs, enough to drive any dad crazy.  "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" actually became a hit single 4 times, and just ask any little girl to sing it and she'll know exactly what you're referring to.  

Beyond the animated movie, dolls, CD's, books, games, room decor, clothes, and dish ware, Cinderella has become a ballet, one which Hecht says is "charming, enticing, and even exciting sometimes". He goes on to say that "Cinderella is the reason to get this box", referring to purchasing a box set of Prokofieff's work. So, even in the adult world, Cinderella, her influence, and her music cannot be escaped. Now, Cinderella is prevelant in the adult world even more because of how parents have to raise their daughters when all around them Disney princesses are telling them to let the man do the work and save them. In her book "Cinderella Ate My Daughter" Peggy Orenstein "explores the beginnings of the princess trend, and its pinkifying effect on everything from toys and clothing to TV and Movies. She scours the research and talks to the experts in an effort to get to the heart of the issue and sort out the conflicting messages that society sends to girls about having it all and being everything they want to be in a world that tells them "that the surest way to get there is to look like, well, Cinderella." (Bryson).

The music is also being redefined even today, 60 years after the movie came out, as the hipster movement becomes more prevalent. Obviously this music has made a huge impact on society as a whole. Cinderella has remained one of the classics, and has withstood the test of time.

Citations:
Hecht, . "American Record Guide." American Record Guide. 69.4 (2006): n. page. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.

Carey, Bryson. "About." About. (2012): n. page. Print. <http://kidstvmovies.about.com/od/healthytvhabits/fr/Cinderella-Ate-My-Daughter-Book-Review.htm>.