Cinderella and "Lois the Witch"

2. The Cinderella formula: In "Lois the Witch," do you see some sort of take on the Cinderella formula? How is the formula the same and how is it different? Is there a prince? Does he save the heroine? What message do you see women writers making women getting caught up in fairy tales--the passivity of waiting for a man to "save" them. Does beauty in weakness serve women well or does it contribute to their downfall? We'll get into this more when we finish Jane Eyre.

When I think of a "Cinderella Story" I think of a rags to riches story, or someone who is oppressed rising above and living happily ever after. In regards to Lois the Witch there are similar themes, such as, the prince, evil step mother (Aunt), wicked step sisters, and the loving father who dies (or both parents and uncle). But I think that is the end of the similarities, because Lois' is oppressed until the end of her life and it is only after she is dead that the prince comes to rescue her. No one in the story lives happily ever after, they are all living with guilt, unhappiness, and regret. I think Elizabeth Gaskell is making a point that life is not a fairy tale and there is not always a happy ending. Life is unfair and you can't expect someone else to save you.