Cinderella: Not so Morally Superior - Essay Example

The paper tells that in the article each step by Cinderella is outlined by the author more in the light of mother’s participation coming in the form of magic transformations able to enchant the prince and leave the rivals (stepmother and two stepsisters) far behind the race. Therefore, the main goal of the paper is to offer a rhetorical analysis of Elizabeth Panttaja’s article with emphasis on the three constituents of the rhetoric, namely ethos, pathos, and logos. Thus, in her article, Elizabeth Panttaja well employs the concept of ethos, pathos, and logos in order to shed light on the real nature of the fairy tale.

The discussion is for the wide-range audience of mature individuals. Elizabeth Panttaja’s ethos is well shown on her proficiency in the field of literature and its genre of fairy tales. Her honest discussion on the topic does her a favor as she moves from fact to fact in order to work argument by argument out. Her eye is open to the heretofore unknown and less-discovered person of Cinderella’s mother. Putting emphasis on the mother/daughter theme and the presence of magic, she appeals to the audience with a step-by-step analysis of the plot.

A well-argumentative talk is supported by the assumptions on the way the fairy tale comes first to a reader and where the Grimms’ version of morality runs into the controversial idea of magic as a way toward the success of Cinderella and her mother. Hence, the ability to appeal to the natural feelings of the audience is quite ostensible throughout the article. Henceforth, goodness is solely all about the mother/daughter relationship, but it does not concern with the person of the prince and, especially, stepmother and stepdaughters as well.

Here is a trick sought by many contemporary women, as in the past, i.e. to have an advantageous marriage. Third, Elizabeth Panttaja’s logos are well described in the logical chain the author draws attention to. As well as in the ethos part of the rhetoric appeal, she describes a set of figures and facts all of which add to her overall thesis statement that Cinderella is not as morally superior as it seems at a glance. From unattractive (deformed) and poor girl toward the magic of her mother and final appointment with the prince leading toward their marriage – all these facts do not state anything about love or some romantic conclusions as of the whole story.

Panttaja points out that the central power in the story is the power of magical manipulation (clothes and other attributes) rather than love. Once enchanted, the prince cannot stay against it and has no other right than to marry Cinderella notwithstanding the fact they know each other a little.