1. Cinderella
Critical Essay

2. Question (the question is the
focus for your essay, every essay
needs a question as it tells you
what to write about and discuss
in your essay.)
• Discuss how the film ‘Cinderella’ could
be described as a traditional fairy tale
and how the filmmakers have used
character, key incidents, setting and
colour to emphasise the genre.

3. Introduction
All essays must begin with an introduction. In
your introduction you should include:
• Name of film (Cinderella)
• Maker of film (Disney)
• Very short summary of what the film is
about
• What your essay is going to look at
(refer to the question)

4. Characters
• How do the characters help show us
that ‘Cinderella’ is a traditional fairy
tale?
• You should look at a minimum of 2
characters.
• Each character needs its own paragraph
• You can choose from the following…

5. Cinderella
Statement –
The character of Cinderella helps
to portray the film ‘Cinderella’ as a
traditional fairy tale.
Example –
Give an example of how she does this
• She is kind
• Loving
• Helpful
• Beautiful
And when we see an example of this.
Analyse –
How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a
fairy tale. What do we expect?

6. The Ugly Sisters
Statement –
• The characters of the ugly
sisters help to portray the film
‘Cinderella’ as a traditional fairy
tale.
Example –
• Give an example of how they do
this
• Jealous
• Mean
• Ugly
• Silly
And when we see an example ofthis.
Analyse –
How does that make ‘Cinderella’
a fairy tale. What do we
expect?

7. Fairy Godmother
Statement –
The character of the fairy godmother
helps to portray the film ‘Cinderella’ as
a traditional fairy tale.
Example –
Give an example of how she does this
• Helpful
• Friendly
• Problem Solver
• Dizzy
And when we see an example of this.
• Analyse –
How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a fairy
tale. What do we expect?

8. Evil or Wicked Step-mother
Statement –
The character of the evil or
wicked step-mother helps to
portray the film ‘Cinderella’ as a
traditional fairy tale.
Example –
Give an example of how she does
this:
• Evil
• Cunning
• Mean
And when we see an example of this.
• Analyse –
How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a
fairy tale. What do we expect?

9. Prince Charming
Statement –
The character of Prince Charming
helps to portray the film
‘Cinderella’ as a traditional fairy
tale.
Example –
Give an example of how he does
this:
• Handsome
• Prince
• Kind
• Fair
And when we see an example of
this.
• Analyse –
How does that make ‘Cinderella’ a

10. Key Incidents
You need to discuss how key incidents
makes ‘Cinderella’ a traditional fairy
tale. What happens in the story that is
what you would expect to see in a fairy
tale?
Write a paragraph for each of the
following examples.

11. At the beginning
Cinderella is treated
like a slave and is
miserable.
Statement – The key
incident in the story which
portrays the film
‘Cinderella’ as a traditional
fairy tale is when Cinderella
is treated like a slave at
the beginning and the fact
she is miserable
Evidence – Give an example of
this
Analysis – Why is this what
we would expect of a fairy
tale?

12. Cinderella is bullied by
her ugly sisters and
wicked step-mother
• Statement – The key
incident in the story which
portrays the film
‘Cinderella’ as a traditional
fairy tale is when
Cinderella is bullied by her
ugly sisters and step-
mother
• Evidence – Give an
example of this
• Analysis – Why is this
what we would expect of a
fairy tale?

13. Cinderella ends up
with Prince Charming
• Statement – The key
incident in the story
which portrays the film
‘Cinderella’ as a
traditional fairy tale is
when Cinderella ends up
with Prince Charming.
• Analysis – Why is this
what we would expect of
a fairy tale?

14. Setting
You need to discuss how setting (places
where the story takes place) makes
‘Cinderella’ a traditional fairy tale.
What is about about those laces that
you expect to see in a fairy tale?
Write a paragraph for each of the
following examples.

15. Cinderella’s House
• Statement – The of
Cinderella’s house
portrays the film
‘Cinderella’ as a
traditional fairy tale
(she is like a prisoner in
a dark, small cell-like
room)
• Analysis – What it is
like and why is this
what we would expect
of a fairy tale?

16. The Palace!
• Statement – Prince
Charming’s palace
portrays the film
‘Cinderella’ as a
traditional fairy tale (It
is grand, beautiful, just
what Cinderella
deserves)
• Analysis – What it is
like and why is this what
we would expect of a
fairy tale?

17. The next two paragraphs are
optional – only complete them if
you want to give it a go! If you
choose not to go straight to the
conclusion.

18. Colour
Statement – Colour is used
symbolically (it represents
something else) in the film
Cinderella
Evidence – Discuss when the
dark colours are used
Analysis – What do the dark
colours represent? What is
important about where and
when they are used? How
does this contribute to
making ‘Cinderella’ a
traditional fairy tale?

19. Colour
Statement – Colour is used
symbolically (it represents
something else) in the film
Cinderella
Evidence – Discuss when the
bright colours are used
Analysis – What do the bright
colours represent? What is
important about where and
when they are used? How does
this contribute to making
‘Cinderella’ a traditional fairy
tale?

20. Conclusion
Every essay must have a conclusion. It sums
up and rounds off your essay.
In your conclusion you must…
• Briefly summarise what you have discussed in
the main essy, describing why ‘Cinderella’ fits
the traditional fairy tale format
• Say what you think of fairy tales (good or
bad) and give reasons for why you think this