Analysis of the socio-historical impact on the evolution of Cinderella through its various adaptations

Fairy tales play a major role during our childhood. “Cinderella” is one such fairy tale that has many literary versions and movie adaptations. One of the most famous adaptations was Disney’s 1950 adaptation, which was based on the version of Charles Perrault. This movie established a basic plot line and made some elements mandatory for adaptations of “Cinderella,” as it became very famous and made the audience search for the same in every adaptation. The 2021 version of “Cinderella,” directed by Kay Cannon, consists of many elements similar to the previous versions of “Cinderella” but can also stand out as an individual film. Then why has this story used the tag of “Cinderella”? And if it has been used, then why can’t a “Cinderella” be like this? Some of these questions will be explored in this paper through Linda Hutcheon’s Theory of Adaptation. Art has a great impact on society, but it is also a reflection of society. By comparing through a feminist approach the literary works, the Chinese version of “Ye Xian” by Duan Chengshi, Charles Perrault’s “Cinderella or The Little Glass Slipper,” Disney’s animated version of Cinderella (1950), and the movie adaptation Cinderella (2021), I will analyze the socio-historic impact on its evolution.