The Little Glass Slipper

The stepmother is depicted as the primary antagonist, orchestrating the mistreatment of Cinderilla. By relegating Cinderilla to servitude, the stepmother not only assumes the position of a villain but abdicates her responsibility as Cinderilla's guardian and protector, isolating Cinderilla from family and titles. Perrault presents the stepmother as a cunning and manipulative figure driven by self-interests. The stepmother's actions stem from her envy of Cinderilla and her inability to “bear the good qualities of this pretty girl; and the less, because they made her daughters appear the more odious” (Paragraph 2). She is determined to ensure that her daughters receive all the advantages and opportunities at the expense of Cinderilla's well-being. The stepmother's role is to emphasize the destructive nature of jealousy and the lengths to which some individuals will go to satisfy their desires.

The stepsisters are similarly driven by envy and portrayed as shallow and self-centered. Perrault stresses their lack of empathy and obsession with outward appearances. The stepsisters are depicted as vain and preoccupied with their physical beauty, often resorting to deceitful means to enhance their attractiveness through fashion and fasting. Their treatment of Cinderilla is marked by cruelty and ridicule as they seek to diminish her presence and assert their superiority. Perrault uses the stepsisters to emphasize the detrimental effects of superficiality and the emptiness of valuing external attributes above inner qualities.

The fairy godmother is a minor character, yet pivotal to the theme of Transformation. She is portrayed as a benevolent figure with supernatural abilities. Perrault presents her as a guardian and divine protector who watches over Cinderilla, recognizing her goodness and deserving nature. It is through the godmother that Cinderilla’s physical transformation is made possible. The fairy godmother's presence in the narrative represents the possibility of transcendence beyond the limitations of Cinderilla's everyday life.

Through her magical powers, the fairy godmother enables Cinderilla's metamorphosis and ultimately guides her toward a better future. She gifts Cinderilla with the opportunity to attend the royal ball, bestowing upon her a beautiful gown, glass slippers, attendants, and a carriage. This symbolizes the fairy godmother's ability to unlock Cinderilla's hidden potential and elevate her from a marginalized position to one of prominence and possibility.