Applied English 4
Telling and Retelling Stories
Fairy Tales: Cinderella
Name:____________________________
40 points
Did you ever notice how individuals and cultures retell the same stories? In this unit, we will discuss more
specifically how the same stories are told, retold, and read. Some literary historians argue that there are, in fact, a
limited number of stories. In an age and culture such as our own, which often values the original and eccentric
over the traditional and communal, that may seem like a negative comment. In fact, though, an understanding of
what different versions of the same story have in common, and perhaps even more significant, how they differ, can
often open a rich and exciting window into time, place and culture. To read the same story told from a number of
different perspectives enables us to isolate what makes each time and place unique and, at the same time, to
recognize the kinship between different cultures.
In your opinion, why do you think individuals and cultures retell the same stories?
What stories (either personal or cultural) do you know that have been told and retold? (For
example, think of events from your past that everyone in your family or group of friends likes
to tell, or a movie that’s been remade, etc.)
What is a fairy tale?
a: a story (as for children) involving fantastic forces and beings (as fairies, wizards, and goblins) —
called also fairy story
b: a story in which improbable events lead to a happy ending
Examples: ____________________________________________________________________
Common elements of Fairy Tales:
1. _____includes fantasy, supernatural or make-believe aspects____________________________
2._____ often have happy endings, based on the resolution of the conflict________________
3._____________________________________________________________________________
4._____________________________________________________________________________
5._____________________________________________________________________________
The Influence of Culture: Three Tellings of “Cinderella”
Literary critics have been struck by how often the same story is told by many cultures. Many cultures have a Flood
story, for example, and many have similar stories about the origins of the universe. Perhaps these stories all relate
back to an unknown archetype (original model story that is the origin of all later stories) or perhaps there is some
more direct means of transmission from one culture to another. To see how cultural influences shape a story,
consider what happens to the Cinderella story when it is told by authors from different cultures separated by vast
expanses of time and geography.
Walt Disney’s Cinderella
Setting:_____________________________________________________________________
Fantasy / supernatural element: _________________________________________________
Good character(s): _______________________ Evil character(s): ______________________
Happy ending: _______________________________________________________________
Lesson conveyed: ____________________________________________________________
Evident cultural value(s): _______________________________________________________
Chinese Version: Yeh-Hsien
Setting:_____________________________________________________________________
Fantasy / supernatural element: _________________________________________________
Good character(s): _______________________ Evil character(s): ______________________
Happy ending: _______________________________________________________________
Lesson conveyed: ____________________________________________________________
Evident cultural value(s): _______________________________________________________
Brothers Grimm Cinderella
Setting:_____________________________________________________________________
Fantasy / supernatural element: _________________________________________________
Good character(s): _______________________ Evil character(s): ______________________
Happy ending: _______________________________________________________________
Lesson conveyed: ____________________________________________________________
Evident cultural value(s): _______________________________________________________
List three SPECIFIC similarities among the three “Cinderella” stories.
1.______________________
2.______________________
3.________________________
List three SPECIFIC differences among the three “Cinderella” stories.
1.______________________
2.______________________
3.________________________
Applied English 4
Telling and Retelling Stories
Fairy Tales: Cinderella
Name:____________________________
Assignment: (100 POINTS)
Choose one of the three versions of Cinderella (or another fairy tale or nursery rhyme perhaps),
and retell the story from the villain’s perspective. Be sure to use first person point of view.
Add elements to the story that are not commonly told, from the villain’s perspective. For
example, perhaps the evil stepmother really hates Cinderella because she was forced to marry
Cinderella’s father by her own evil stepmother, and by looking at her every day, it reminds her
of the years of torment in an unhappy marriage. See?
Be sure to include the common elements of a fairy tale.
-
Set in the past, usually significantly long ago. “Once upon a time…”
Includes fantasy, supernatural or make-believe aspects.
Clearly defined good and evil characters
Happy ending
Teaches a lesson or demonstrates important values
Rubric:
Typed, double-spaced, ~500 words (2+ pages)
____/20
Includes the common elements of a fairy tale
____/20
Point of view is from the villain’s perspective (1st person)
____/20
Added elements to the commonly told plot from villain’s perspective
____/20
Organization (paragraphs)
____/10
Conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation)
____/10
TOTAL
____/100
Before your start writing/typing, outline your fairy tale here:
1. Set in the past, usually significantly long ago. “Once upon a time…”
The setting of my fairy tale: _____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Includes fantasy, supernatural or make-believe aspects.
My fairy tale includes the following supernatural elements: _____________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3. Clearly defined good and evil characters
Good character(s): ____________________________________________________________
Evil character(s):______________________________________________________________
4. Happy ending 
My tale ends with the following happy ending: _______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
5. Teaches a lesson or demonstrates important values
The lesson or value that’s included in my tale is: _____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________