Professor Anthony Pino
English 101A
4 April 2013
The Source of Magic: Explanatory Synthesis Although there are many fairy tales, “Cinderella” is a fairly well-known magical story enjoyed and told by arguably thousands of cultures around the world. In the typical “Cinderella” fairy tale, the Fairy Godmother magically appears and transforms Cinderella from her destitute state into a beautiful princess who lives happily ever after with her Prince Charming. There are many versions of “Cinderella” from the different cultures that have embedded magic into the fairy tale. The source of that magic and tests differs in the ways it unites the Cinderella characters with her Prince Charming characters. Amongst the plethora of different cultures’ versions of “Cinderella,” Walt Disney uses the most common type of fairy tale magic. Once the stepsisters go to the ball, Cinderella is sobbing because she wants to go too. Her Fairy Godmother suddenly appears and helps Cinderella prepare for the ball. She magically turns a pumpkin into a coach, mice into horses, and the dog into a footman. One last important magic spell is left to cast, and as the Fairy Godmother waves her magic wand and sings, “Salaga doola, Menchicka boola, Bibbidi bobbidi boo!” Cinderella’s ragged clothes turn into a beautiful gown. However, Cinderella is warned by the Fairy Godmother that she has to leave the ball before the clock strikes midnight because the spell will break and everything will turn back into its original form. Cinderella must take heed in what Fairy Godmother told her or consequences may follow. With the help of the Fairy Godmother, Cinderella is able to go to the ball, and she falls in love with the prince. Prince Charming is also madly in love with her and goes from house to house looking for her.
Because of the magical transformation of Cinderella’s appearance, the prince’s only hope to find his princess is by making every girl try on the glass shoe Cinderella left
Cited: “Oochigeaskw-The Rough-Faced Girl.” Writing and Reading Across The Curriculum, 12th Ed. Laurence Behrens and Leonard J. Rosen. Boston: Pearson, 2013. 245-247. Print. Grant, Campbell. “ Walt Disney’s Cinderella.” Writing and Reading Across The Curriculum, 12th Ed. Laurence Behrens and Leonard J. Rosen. Boston: Pearson, 2013. 247-249. Print.