The Evolution of Cinderella
Last semester Jessica FitzPatrickās class, Introduction to Critical Reading, visited Special Collections. The class took a closer look at serialized novels, fine press and private press books, and variances in editions published over time. Students had the opportunity to submit blog posts about their findings to Special Collections for extra credit:
These two versions of Cinderella provide hints as to the time in which the story was written or published. Ā The first edition, by George Cruikshank, is a very small edition that is falling apart, as seen in Fig. 1. Ā The second version is written by Charles Evans and that book is larger and in better condition, depicted in Fig 2. Ā There are three factors in each edition that are telling of the time the books were written: the way the book was published, the language, and the nickname given to Cinderella.
Figure 1. George Cruickshankās book, example illustration, pencil used to show relative size
Figure 2. Charles Evansā book, example illustration, pencil used for relative size
Cruikshankās book did not have a binding, the paper was only folded in the middle. Ā In 1814, the printing press was used, but the machinery did not bind paper together, it simply printed words on the paper. The method used to put pictures on the paper was called āwoodcutting.āĀ It was a technique where a piece of wood acts as a stamp for paper in woodcutting.Ā Knowing that the illustrations were not printed directly onto the page tells that it is an old copy, but the text coming from a printing press tells that it cannot be too old.
The illustrations in Evansā book were done by Arthur Rackham, a renowned artist in the early 20th century. Ā The technique for publishing in this case involved Rackham drawing a picture with pencil or ink, taking a photograph of the image, and having the photograph mechanically reproduced. This method portrayed how Evansā book is a newer copy because of the improvements to photography. Ā One can tell that this process was used because of the way the images are attached to the paper. Ā The photos being reproduced required thick paper; they could not be printed on the same paper that the text was printed on. Ā Instead, the images were printed on a thick paper and then pasted onto the pages with the text. Ā In addition, the binding is strong and the book is still in good condition. Ā The paper, illustrations, and condition of Evansā book are indications of the book being published in more recent times.
Next I will discuss how the language in the books is a sign of the era it was written in. Ā Cruikshankās book uses words such as ātheeā āthouā and ānay.ā Reading these words, it is obvious that the book was not written in recent times because they are not used in modern language. Ā These types of words were used in the Shakespearean era. The book was not published until 1814, but it could have been written years earlier when those words were still used. However, this type of language adds to the legacy of āCinderella.ā Ā By reading the story in old fashioned words, I gained a deeper understanding of how much of a classic the story truly is. Ā I knew that the story had been retold for hundreds of years, but reading this form emphasized just how long the story has been told. Ā Of course, language has evolved and these words have disappeared from modern language. Evansā book shows that evolution because the language in his book is more contemporary. Ā It is the same language used today, so readers would know that it must have been written relatively recently. Ā The language used in both editions hints at a time period in which it was written.Ā
The last aspect of the story that relates to history is the nickname given to Cinderella. Ā Her stepsisters always gave her a nickname that was supposed to be offensive. Ā In Cruickshankās edition, her stepsisters called Cinderella āCinderbreech.āĀ The oxford dictionary online gives an āarchaicā definition that means ābuttocks.āĀ The name has lost its offensiveness because nobody today refers to a butt as a ābreech.ā Ā The definition being defined as āarchaicā provides even more evidence to how the nickname implies that it is an old version of the story. Ā In Evansā version, Cinderella was called āCinder-slut.ā At first, I was taken aback by the word choice considering it is a childrenās book. However, then I hypothesized that Evans used slut to warn young girls of what not to do.Ā Being promiscuous in the early 1900s was frowned upon and not socially acceptable for women. Ā Then, women were more conservative than they are now and there were more expectations of a woman to be lady-like. Ā Evans adding phrase āCinder-slutā represents the societal norms in the early twentieth century, and how being conservative and āpureā was valued.
-Abby Markey, Freshman, University of Pittsburgh
Works Cited
Cruikshank, George. The Interesting Story of Cinderella and Her Glass Slipper. N.p.: Banbury, 1814. Print.
David Miles Books, The Interesting Story of Cinderella and Her Glass Slipper 2017. Web. 24 March 2017.
Evans, Charles. Cinderella. Norwood, London: Complete, 1919. Print.
Oxford Living Dictionary. Oxford University Press, 2017. Web. 24 Mar. 2017.Ā
"Style, Subjects, Technique, and Technology." Central Michigan University. Clarke Historical Library, n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2017.
"1814 - 2014: 200 Years Steam-driven Cylinder Printing Press." What They Think. N.p., 1 Dec. 2014. Web. 24 Mar. 2017.












