The Little Glass Slipper

Perrault's “Little Glass Slipper” is a timeless tale that has captivated readers for centuries. Published in 1697 as part of Perrault's collection of fairy tales, this particular story has become one of the most iconic versions of the Cinderilla narrative. Perrault's “Little Glass Slipper” explores The Importance of Virtuosity, Transformation, and The Triumph of Good Over Evil while alluding to societal expectations of women—namely, that the ideal woman is humble and forgiving. For example, in spite of being abused by her stepsisters, Cinderilla invites them to live in the palace and verbalizes hopes for their love.

Perrault uses concise prose and a third-person omniscient voice who knows all and can see inside the characters’ heads. He draws from folktales of generational storytelling. He tailors these tales to include elements of whimsy and moral messages, such as the importance of obedience and modesty. Perrault adapts folktales to fit his contemporary aristocratic class's cultural expectations and values, subtly intertwining a moral code associated with the French Court at Versailles.

The story unfolds in a world where magic and reality intertwine matter-of-factly. The fantastical coexists with the mundane, blurring the boundaries between supernatural and everyday life. This adds a touch of surrealism to the narrative and also serves as a vehicle for social commentary. The fusion of the magical and real suggests that social hierarchies prevail in a world where extraordinary occurrences are sometimes necessary to challenge and subvert established norms.

The plot of “Little Glass Slipper” follows the journey of Cinderilla, a young, virtuous maiden who is subjected to cruel mistreatment by her stepmother and stepsisters after the second marriage of her father. Perrault presents Cinderilla as a symbol of purity, innocence, and resilience, an underdog who may evoke empathy from readers. Her downtrodden state starkly contrasts with the luxury and arrogance of her stepfamily. Perrault uses imagery to depict this. For example, Cinderilla “lay up in a sorry garret, upon a wretched straw-bed, while her sisters lay in fine rooms, with floors all inlaid, upon beds of the very newest fashion, and where they had looking-glasses so large, that they might see themselves at their full length, from head to foot” (Paragraph 3).

A prominent theme in “Little Glass Slipper” is feminine humility and The Importance of Virtuosity. Perrault presents Cinderilla as the epitome of feminine virtue, showcasing her kindness, humility, and grace in the face of adversity. Despite the cruelty inflicted by her stepmother and stepsisters, Cinderilla remains steadfast in her goodness, never succumbing to bitterness or revenge, such as when she continues to assist her stepsisters in getting ready for the ball after they insult her. Perrault illustrates her generosity by underscoring how people would typically behave in her situation—“[a]ny one but Cinderilla would have dressed their heads awry, but she was very good, and dressed them perfectly well” (Paragraph 9).

Cinderilla’s virtues ultimately lead to her transformation and triumph. Perrault highlights Cinderilla's dutifulness, emphasizing the feminine virtue of temperance. The fairy godmother commands Cinderilla to “be but a good girl, and I will contrive that thou shalt go” (Paragraph 15). This emphasizes how Cinderilla’s desire to attend the ball will only be fulfilled if she continues to be obedient.

The fairy godmother is a magical entity who aids Cinderilla in her transformation. She represents the supernatural intervention pivotal in fairy tales, and how the downtrodden can find justice and fulfillment through extraordinary means. Magical elements, such as the transfiguration of pumpkins and lizards into royal finery, represent hope and a higher power beyond individual means.

Transformation is a central theme in Perrault's tale. Cinderilla undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis, shifting from a mistreated and marginalized young woman to a radiant and mystifying princess. Perrault goes beyond the surface-level transformation of Cinderilla's appearance and delves into the shift of her social standing and hierarchical status. Perrault uses the fairy godmother to facilitate this transformation and depict the blend between the magical and real worlds, emphasizing how external forces can provide opportunities for growth and change. Cinderilla's physical transformation symbolizes her social transformation. Perrault implies that only those deserving will undergo remarkable changes by virtue of their noble character.

Following the tale, Perrault includes a lesson, a didactic couplet intended to instruct and warn his audience: “This quality, fair ladies, know / Prevails much more (you'll find it so) [...] Is grace of bearing, not high birth; / Without this gift we'll miss the prize” (Paragraph 50). Perrault's tale reflects the prevailing social norms and values of the 17th century, particularly in France, where women were expected to conform to certain roles and exhibit feminine virtues such as humility and patience. Perrault's work aims to entertain and instruct, reinforcing established social mores.

The ball scene in “Little Glass Slipper” is central to the narrative. It establishes the importance of status, such as when the court and attendees are enamored by the arrival of a “great Princess, whom nobody knew” (Paragraph 32). Cinderilla captivates the royal family and courtiers and “[t]he King himself, old as he was, could not help ogling her, and telling the Queen softly, 'that it was a long time since he had seen so beautiful and lovely a creature.'” (Paragraph 32). The King only notes her outward appearance, unaware of the beauty of her character. Similarly, Perrault highlights the superficial nature of the French court when describing how “the ladies [of the court] were busied in considering [Cinderilla’s] clothes and head-dress, that they might have some made next day after the same pattern” (Paragraph 32). The French aristocracy emphasize the importance of aesthetics above all.

The glass slippers play a crucial role in the story, with many symbolic interpretations. Perrault's choice of glass emphasizes the slipper's fragility, underscoring the delicate nature of Cinderilla's poise and her temporary identity before her finery reverts back to lizards and pumpkins after midnight. The slippers also symbolize the prince's quest to find his match, and its perfect fit on Cinderilla's foot reflects their destined union. Perrault employs the slipper as a plot device that propels the story forward and heightens tension as the prince searches for the mysterious maiden who captured his heart.

The second glass slipper that Cinderilla keeps after losing the first at the palace is significant. It is the only magical element retained after the midnight magic wears off, a reminder of the grand, yet fleeting, experience at the ball. Beyond symbols, the slippers are necessary for Cinderilla to be suddenly recognized and considered worthy by those above her socially, as the slipper is the only requirement for the Prince to marry her. Without the slippers, she would never have solidified her “happily ever after.”

In “Little Glass Slipper,” Perrault explores justice and The Triumph of Good Over Evil. Perrault presents Cinderilla as the embodiment of goodness and purity, contrasting her with the malevolent stepmother and stepsisters who are driven by envy and greed. Later, in an attempt to claim the prince's affection, the stepsisters “did all they possibly could to thrust their feet into the slipper, but they could not effect it” (Paragraph 44). Their deceit and cruelty are exposed. Perrault  highlights the importance of inner virtue and beauty, as Cinderilla's inward and outward “handsomeness” allows her to triumph over her stepsisters' devious machinations.

Examining “The Little Glass Slipper” from a gender-critical perspective reveals Cinderilla’s inability to change her own circumstances independently. Unmarried women are often portrayed as innocent, vulnerable, and lacking agency, relying on external forces for assistance both economically and socially. Cinderilla represents lower-class women and their societal role; she was a “poor girl [who] bore all patiently, and dared not tell her father, who would have rattled her off” (Paragraph 2). Cinderilla conforms to gender norms pervasive at the time of Perrault’s writing: She engages in domestic duties and embraces her expected role as a submissive and obedient girl, one who is helpful to a woman of stature. Her ultimate happiness is contingent upon being rescued by a male figure, the prince. She is inherently powerless on her own and can only fulfill her desires through supernatural assistance or the aid of a man. Cinderilla's wishes are initially granted with the help of her fairy godmother, and her power is further amplified by marrying a man of means. The narrative suggests that supernatural forces and marriage are the sole pathways to a woman's contentment, perpetuating the notion that a woman cannot be truly happy until her life is fulfilled through marriage. This becomes Cinderilla's sole aspiration, reflective of 17th-century culture.