Blog #7

Suheidy Pichardo
Professor Vasileiou
English 102
May 5 2010
Mythological Criticism

Criticism can definately be applied not only in a person's life but also in works of literature. Biographical, gender, mythological, psychological are among the many to fit the category of criticism. Many readers use this method as a way to gain better understanding of the text. After reading "cinderella" by Anne Sexton we can conclude that the poem is a different version of the Disney fairy tale that has been around for years. If we then apply mythological criticism, which explores common humanity, and the myths and what they reveal about culture, then we know Anne Sexton seeks to entertain an older audience. Not only is Anne Sexton exposing how man and women are viewed in culture, but how in life there really are no happy endings.
In "Cinderella" the role of different women is portrayed. The mother is known as the protector and loving one which is why in "cinderella" , Anne Sexton doesn't include a fairy godmother. The mother becomes the white dove that "whenever she wished for anything the dove would drop it like an egg upon the ground (page 629)." Clearly most of us see our mothers as the ones to care very deeply, and fullfil our wishes. The stepmother is completely the opposite of the loving caring mother . The stepmother is always considered to be the wicked one. "No cinderella, said the stepmother, you have no clothes and cannot dance. That is the way with stepmothers "(pg 629). Clearly the stepmother is viewed as evil since Cinderella is a poor girl who's the maid around the house. The step sisters are also shown as, "pretty enough but with hearts like blackjacks". (pg 628) Clearly Anne Sexton might be trying to warn us , about physical beauty accompanied by an ugly heart.
The role of man, and how they are viewed in culture, is also shown in this poem. Anne Sexton exposes to us how man are and their indifference towards women. Cinderella's father is not mentioned much throughout the story, only to note that after the mother dies he remarries. Clearly she feels that man don't get attached, but rather move on after there is nothing left. The prince, which plays the role for every man in Today's society, is shown as a man who doesn't really show interest in a women for her personality but rather for her appearance. If he would have paid more attention to cinderella's face, and not her body he would have saved himself all the trouble of finding her , through a shoe.
Not only do we see how man and women are viewed in a culture, but we also see how life truly isn't a fairy tale. People always want to dream of things, shifting away from reality. "From Diapers to Dior. That story "(pg 628) Clearly one day you're not poor and the next you are rich. "Cinderella and the prince lived, they say, happily ever after, like two dolls in a museum case, never bothere by diapers or dust, never ...."(page 630) In real life, married couples with children have to deal with takin care of their children's necessities and with the household duties. There is no such thing as never being bothered by those things.
Trough mythological criticism we can gain new insights on the poem "Cinderella" we know how life truly isn't a fairy tale.