Welcome to Poem of the Day – Cinderella by Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton was a leading voice in confessional poetry. She wrote openly about mental illness, personal struggles, and the roles of women. One of her most famous poems is Cinderella. In this poem, she takes a classic fairy tale and gives it a dark, realistic twist. Sexton explores the fantasy of “happily ever after” and questions the idea of perfect endings.
This article will explain the meaning, structure, and key themes of Cinderella. It will help readers understand why this poem is still important today.
Cinderella Explanation
Overview of the Poem
Cinderella is part of Anne Sexton’s 1971 collection Transformations. In this collection, Sexton rewrites Grimm’s fairy tales with modern language and adult themes. Her version of Cinderella stays close to the original story but adds sarcasm and irony.
The poem starts with short stories about people who get rich quickly or marry well. These examples seem strange and too perfect. Sexton uses them to show how unrealistic fairy tales can be. She then retells the Cinderella story but focuses on the ugly side of the tale—violence, blindness, and false happiness.
Structure and Style
The poem is written in free verse. There is no regular rhyme or rhythm. This gives Sexton freedom to write in a conversational tone. She uses repetition, irony, and sharp imagery to hold the reader’s attention.
The tone is mocking. Sexton seems to laugh at the idea that life always ends happily. She repeats the phrase “that story” as if she is tired of the same old fairy tale.
Summary of the Poem
The poem begins by listing examples of people who suddenly become wealthy or happy. For example, one man wins the lottery and lives like a king. Another woman marries a rich man after nursing him through illness. These stories sound lucky, but Sexton adds the phrase “That story.” This shows she thinks they are not realistic.
Sexton then tells the story of Cinderella. Her mother dies. Her father remarries. Her stepsisters are cruel. A dove helps her complete tasks to go to the ball. She meets the prince, and he falls in love with her. When she runs away, he searches for her using the glass slipper.
The stepsisters try to fit the slipper. One cuts off her toe. The other cuts off her heel. Blood gives them away. Finally, the prince finds Cinderella. They get married.
The poem ends with these lines:
“Cinderella and the prince / lived, they say, happily ever after, / like two dolls in a museum case / never bothered by diapers or dust, / never arguing over the timing of an egg, / never telling the same story twice…”
This ending is cold and unnatural. Sexton compares their marriage to dolls in a glass case—perfect, but lifeless. It sounds like a warning.
Key Themes
1. The Myth of Happily Ever After
Sexton questions the idea that marriage brings happiness. Her tone suggests that “happily ever after” is a lie. Real relationships are hard. People argue. Life is messy. But fairy tales skip these parts. Sexton brings them back.
2. Violence and Sacrifice
In the Grimm version, the stepsisters cut off parts of their feet. Sexton includes this. It shows how far people will go for status or love. The blood reminds us that fairy tales often hide cruelty behind magic.
3. Gender Roles
Sexton challenges the role of women in fairy tales. Cinderella is passive. She waits for help—from a bird, a prince. Sexton seems to say women deserve more than just rescue and marriage. They should have control over their own lives.
4. Irony and Satire
Throughout the poem, Sexton uses sarcasm. She mocks the perfect world of fairy tales. By doing this, she brings the reader back to reality. She wants us to think, not just dream.
Why This Poem Still Matters
Cinderella by Anne Sexton is more than a retelling. It is a deep look at how we see life, love, and women. The poem is bold. It forces readers to think about the messages in stories we tell children. Are they helpful or harmful?
In today’s world, where people still chase perfection on social media, this poem reminds us: not everything that looks perfect is real. Sexton gives us the truth behind the fairy tale.
Conclusion
Anne Sexton’s Cinderella is a powerful poem. It uses simple language but delivers a strong message. Through her dark retelling, she challenges the dream of fairy tales and shows us the pain that can hide behind happy endings.
The poem reminds us to question what we read, what we believe, and what we teach. It encourages us to tell stories that reflect real life—with all its struggles, beauty, and truth.
