How Fair Cinderella Disposed
by Guy Wetmore Carryl · from Grimm Tales Made Gay
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, a girl lived. Her name was Cinderella. She had two sisters. Their names were Gwendolyn and Gladys. They were not kind. They made Cinderella work hard. Cinderella was often sad.
Cinderella cleaned the house. She cooked the food. She did her sisters' hair. Gwendolyn and Gladys went to big parties. Cinderella stayed at home. She watched them leave.
One night, Cinderella sat by the fire. She felt very sad. A bright light shone. A Kind Fairy stepped out of the fire. The fairy saw Cinderella's tears. She knew Cinderella needed help. She wanted to make Cinderella happy.
The Kind Fairy waved her wand. Poof! A big coach appeared. Four horses stood ready. Cinderella wore a pretty dress. It was shiny and new. She had pretty glass shoes. Cinderella felt very happy. She looked so nice. She was ready for the party.
Cinderella went to the big party. The Prince was there. He saw Cinderella. He thought she was very pretty. He wanted to dance with her. Gwendolyn and Gladys saw her. They did not know it was Cinderella.
The Prince danced with Cinderella. He talked to her kindly. He liked her very much. He was very nice to her. He did not talk to Gwendolyn. He did not talk to Gladys. The sisters felt sad.
Gwendolyn and Gladys left the party. They left very early. They were not happy at all. They were very grumpy. They walked home. They felt very cross.
Cinderella stayed at the party. She had much fun. But the magic time ended. She ran out quickly. One glass shoe fell off her foot. She left it behind. The Prince found the shoe. It was very pretty.
The Prince looked for Cinderella. He found her with the shoe. He liked her very much. He asked her to marry him. Cinderella said yes. She was so happy.
Gwendolyn and Gladys were still sad. They were very sad. Cinderella was happy. She would marry the Prince. They would live in a big castle.
Cinderella was kind. She was good inside. This made her very special. Being kind is the best thing of all. It is good, not fancy clothes. And Cinderella and Prince lived with joy. The end.
Original Story
*How Fair Cinderella Disposed
of Her Shoe*
The vainest girls in forty states
Were Gwendolyn and Gladys Gates;
They warbled, slightly off the air,
Romantic German songs,
And each of them upon her hair
Employed the curling tongs,
And each with ardor most intense
Her buxom figure laced,
Until her wilful want of sense
Procured a woeful waist:
For bound to marry titled mates
Were Gwendolyn and Gladys Gates.
Yet, truth to tell, the swains were few
Of Gwendolyn (and Gladys, too).
So morning, afternoon, and night
Upon their sister they
Were wont to vent their selfish spite,
And in the rudest way:
For though her name was Leonore,
That’s neither there nor here,
They called her Cinderella, for
The kitchen was her sphere,
Save when the hair she had to do
Of Gwendolyn (and Gladys, too).
Each night to dances and to fêtes
Went Gwendolyn and Gladys Gates,
And Cinderella watched them go
In silks and satins clad:
A prince invited them, and so
They put on all they had!
But one fine night, as all alone
She watched the flames leap higher,
A small and stooping fairy crone
Stept nimbly from the fire.
Said she: “The pride upon me grates
Of Gwendolyn and Gladys Gates.”
“I’ll now,” she added, with a frown,
“Call Gwendolyn and Gladys down!”
And, ere your fingers you could snap,
There stood before the door
No paltry hired horse and trap,
Oh, no!—a coach and four!
And Cinderella, fitted out
Regardless of expense,
Made both her sisters look about
Like thirty-seven cents!
The prince, with one look at her gown,
Turned Gwendolyn and Gladys down!
Wall-flowers, when thus compared with her,
Both Gwendolyn and Gladys were.
The prince but gave them glances hard,
No gracious word he said;
He scratched their names from off his card,
And wrote hers down instead:
And where he would bestow his hand
He showed them in a trice
By handing her the kisses, and
To each of them an ice!
In sudden need of fire and fur
Both Gwendolyn and Gladys were.
At ten o’clock, in discontent,
Both Gwendolyn and Gladys went.
Their sister stayed till after two,
And, with a joy sincere,
The prince obtained her crystal shoe
By way of souvenir.
“Upon the bridal path,” he cried,
“We’ll reign together! Since
I love you, you must be my bride!”
(He was no slouch, that prince!)
And into sudden languishment
Both Gwendolyn and Gladys went.
The Moral: All the girls on earth
Exaggerate their proper worth.
They think the very shoes they wear
Are worth the average millionaire;
Whereas few pairs in any town
Can be half-sold for half a crown!
Story DNA
Moral
Girls often overestimate their own worth, especially in terms of material value.
Plot Summary
Two vain sisters, Gwendolyn and Gladys Gates, constantly mistreat their sister, Leonore, whom they call Cinderella, forcing her into servitude. One night, a fairy crone emerges from the fire, angered by the sisters' pride, and transforms Cinderella, providing her with a magnificent coach. At the prince's ball, Cinderella outshines her sisters, captivating the prince, who ignores Gwendolyn and Gladys. The prince declares his love for Cinderella, takes her crystal shoe as a souvenir, and asks her to be his bride, leaving her sisters in despair. The story concludes with a moral about girls overestimating their own worth.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a satirical retelling of Cinderella, published in 1902, reflecting early 20th-century social commentary on vanity and materialism, particularly among women seeking advantageous marriages.
Plot Beats (11)
- Gwendolyn and Gladys Gates are introduced as vain sisters obsessed with marrying titled men, who mistreat their sister, Leonore, calling her Cinderella.
- Cinderella is forced to do all the housework and her sisters' hair, while they attend dances and fêtes.
- One night, as Cinderella watches the fire, a fairy crone emerges, angered by the sisters' pride.
- The fairy magically provides a coach and transforms Cinderella, making her look far superior to her sisters.
- Cinderella arrives at the ball, immediately captivating the prince and making her sisters look like 'wall-flowers'.
- The prince gives Cinderella kisses and an ice, while giving her sisters only hard glances and scratching their names from his card.
- Gwendolyn and Gladys leave the ball at ten o'clock in discontent.
- Cinderella stays until after two, and the prince obtains her crystal shoe as a souvenir.
- The prince declares his love for Cinderella and asks her to be his bride.
- Gwendolyn and Gladys are left in sudden languishment, while Cinderella is set to marry the prince.
- The story concludes with a moral about girls exaggerating their own worth.
Characters
Cinderella ★ protagonist
Of average height and slender build, likely appearing somewhat tired or downtrodden from her daily chores. Her natural beauty is obscured by her circumstances.
Attire: Initially, she wears simple, worn, and practical clothing suitable for kitchen work, likely a plain linen or cotton dress, possibly patched or faded. For the ball, she is 'fitted out regardless of expense,' implying a magnificent, probably shimmering gown of fine fabric like silk or satin, in a flattering color, adorned with jewels or intricate embroidery, though the specific style is not detailed beyond being grand enough to outshine her sisters.
Wants: To escape her life of servitude and find happiness and love.
Flaw: Her passive acceptance of her sisters' abuse, which keeps her in a subservient role until external intervention.
She transforms from an oppressed servant into a beloved princess, finding love and escaping her miserable existence.
Patient, kind, resilient, longsuffering, and ultimately joyful. She endures her sisters' cruelty without complaint and embraces her magical opportunity with sincere happiness.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman of slender build and average height, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. She has a kind, gentle face with soft features, and her hair is styled elegantly, perhaps in an updo with soft curls. She wears a magnificent ball gown of shimmering silk, possibly in a light, ethereal color like silver or pale blue, with intricate embroidery and a full skirt. She holds a single crystal slipper in one hand. Her expression is one of serene joy and grace. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Gwendolyn Gates ⚔ antagonist
Buxom figure, tightly laced to achieve a 'woeful waist.' Likely of average height or slightly taller, with an air of self-importance.
Attire: Wears silks and satins, putting on 'all they had' for the Prince's invitation. This implies elaborate, perhaps overly ornate, gowns in rich colors, designed to impress, possibly with excessive ruffles, bows, or jewels, reflecting a desire for opulence over true elegance.
Wants: To marry a titled mate and achieve high social standing.
Flaw: Her extreme vanity and cruelty, which blind her to her own flaws and make her unattractive to the Prince.
She remains unchanged, experiencing only disappointment and 'languishment' as her plans are thwarted.
Vain, selfish, cruel, arrogant, and envious. She is driven by a desire for social status and a titled mate.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman of buxom build, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. She has a haughty expression, with a made-up face and narrow eyes. Her hair is elaborately curled and styled, perhaps dark brown. She wears an overly ornate gown of rich silk, possibly in a deep red or emerald green, with a tightly laced bodice emphasizing a 'woeful waist' and a wide, stiff skirt. She stands with a rigid, self-important posture. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Gladys Gates ⚔ antagonist
Buxom figure, tightly laced to achieve a 'woeful waist.' Likely of average height or slightly taller, with an air of self-importance.
Attire: Wears silks and satins, putting on 'all they had' for the Prince's invitation. This implies elaborate, perhaps overly ornate, gowns in rich colors, designed to impress, possibly with excessive ruffles, bows, or jewels, reflecting a desire for opulence over true elegance.
Wants: To marry a titled mate and achieve high social standing.
Flaw: Her extreme vanity and cruelty, which blind her to her own flaws and make her unattractive to the Prince.
She remains unchanged, experiencing only disappointment and 'languishment' as her plans are thwarted.
Vain, selfish, cruel, arrogant, and envious. She is driven by a desire for social status and a titled mate.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman of buxom build, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. She has a haughty expression, with a made-up face and narrow eyes. Her hair is elaborately curled and styled, perhaps light blonde. She wears an overly ornate gown of rich satin, possibly in a deep purple or bright gold, with a tightly laced bodice emphasizing a 'woeful waist' and a wide, stiff skirt. She stands with a rigid, self-important posture. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Fairy Crone ◆ supporting
Small and stooping, suggesting an aged and perhaps slightly hunched figure, but with a surprising nimbleness.
Attire: Not explicitly described, but given her emergence from the fire, perhaps simple, dark, or ash-colored robes, or something rustic yet magical. It would not be grand, but functional for her magical tasks.
Wants: To punish the vain sisters and reward the deserving Cinderella.
Flaw: None shown; she is a powerful magical entity.
She acts as a catalyst for Cinderella's transformation and does not undergo a personal arc.
Stern, observant, just, and powerful. She is displeased by vanity and acts decisively to correct injustice.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, elderly woman with a stooping posture, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. She has a wrinkled face with sharp, observant eyes and a stern expression, perhaps with a slight frown. Her hair is wispy white or grey. She wears simple, dark, flowing robes, perhaps with a hood. She stands with one foot slightly raised, as if having just stepped nimbly. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Prince ◆ supporting
Not explicitly described, but implied to be handsome and desirable, as he is the object of the sisters' ambition. He is 'no slouch,' suggesting a strong, capable presence.
Attire: Wears attire befitting a prince, likely fine, tailored garments of rich fabrics like velvet or brocade, possibly with subtle embroidery or jewels, indicating wealth and status without being ostentatious. A formal court suit or uniform would be appropriate.
Wants: To find a suitable and beloved bride.
Flaw: None explicitly shown; he acts as an ideal romantic figure.
He finds his true love in Cinderella and proposes marriage, fulfilling his role as the romantic hero.
Discerning, decisive, romantic, and not easily swayed by superficial appearances. He is quick to recognize true worth.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man of noble bearing and athletic build, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. He has a handsome, discerning face with dark, intelligent eyes and a confident expression. His dark hair is neatly styled in a period-appropriate fashion. He wears a finely tailored court suit of deep blue velvet with silver embroidery, a crisp white cravat, and polished black boots. He stands with an upright, regal posture, one hand extended as if offering a gesture of affection. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Cinderella's Kitchen
A humble, functional kitchen, likely in a European-style house, where Cinderella spends most of her time. It features a hearth with leaping flames.
Mood: Somber and lonely, but with a hint of warmth from the fire, which later becomes magical.
Cinderella watches her sisters depart for the ball, and a fairy godmother emerges from the fire to transform her.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic, dimly lit kitchen in a 19th-century European cottage. A large stone hearth dominates one wall, with bright orange flames dancing within. Simple wooden shelves hold earthenware pots and pans. A worn wooden table and a single stool are visible. Moonlight streams faintly through a small, paned window, casting soft shadows on the flagstone floor. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Prince's Palace Ballroom
A grand and opulent ballroom within a European prince's palace, filled with guests in fine attire. It is a setting for dancing and social gatherings.
Mood: Lively, elegant, and initially superficial, transforming into romantic and enchanting with Cinderella's arrival.
Cinderella attends the ball, outshines her sisters, dances with the prince, and leaves her crystal shoe behind.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast, opulent ballroom in a 19th-century European palace. High ceilings are adorned with ornate plasterwork and glittering crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow. Polished parquet floors reflect the light, where couples in elaborate gowns and tailcoats are dancing. Tall, arched windows draped with heavy velvet curtains line the walls. Gilded columns rise to support the ceiling, and musicians play from a raised balcony. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
