Deconstruction Literary Criticism In Cinderella Short Story

Group 1: AHMAD HAEKAL BAHAR ISTIANA MUFATIROH SITI RAHMA SALAM SITTI DELFIANA UNO

Deconstruction in Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm’s Cinderella Short Story The original story of Cinderella by Jacob & Wilhelm Grim tells us mainly about the story of Cinderella like any other Cinderella story movie that we have seen before. Although the story is quite similar like the mainstream story of Cinderella, there are slight differences found in Grimm Brothers’ story. It is from the state of Cinderella’s father that are still with them in the house, distinguished from the popular storyline that her father went for a job afar from home. Second difference is at the appearance birds and tree that help Cinderella facing her problems and getting the chance to go to the ball (in the popular storyline, it was represented by the fairy godmother). Thus, this story of Cinderella by Grimm is having a slight difference from the popular story everyone has probably heard in childhood stories. To begin with deconstruction, first of all we recognized the centered attention which the author wants reader to see. It is based from the judgment of centered characters and characterization. The centered character is Cinderella, Prince, step-sisters, and Step mother. The ‘far from center’ characters are the prince’s father (King), Tree, birds, and Cinderella’s father. We recognized this so we can try to avoid to think as what the author wants us to consider. As for it, regardless of the centered attention, the strange facts or characterization we found in Cinderella are: 1. Fearful Cinderella ...when the evening came she wanted to go home, but the Prince said he would go with her to take care of her, for he wanted to see where the beautiful maiden lived. But she escaped him, and jumped up into the pigeon-house. And when the evening came she wanted to go home, and the Prince followed her, for he wanted to see to what house she belonged; but she broke away from him, and ran into the garden at the back of the house. This act represent that Cinderella is really afraid that the Prince would see her condition in home. It is not written in the text that she must get back before midnight, she could have just stayed and not telling where her house is. But rather doing that, she ran off in a rush, and always left the

prince to chase her. This fearful act of Cinderella is considered a little bit extreme. She could have just tell the prince properly that he is not allowed to come with her, but instead she ran off without saying anything. As a center of the story, this could be a bad example for people to ran off and left without saying anything. This cannot present the right manner of leaving. Thus, this side of Cinderella is not considered on giving a good example of manner as a centered character. 2. Anarchy King/father of the prince. “It surely cannot be Cinderella,” and called for axes and hatchets, and had the pigeon-house cut down. “It surely cannot be Cinderella,” and called for an axe, and felled the tree. This act represent how anarchy the King could be. Just because someone has hide behind the tree, it is extremely abusive to cut down the tree only to seek for the truth. It may damage anyone, in this case, Cinderella. As for it, the one who initiated it is the father of the prince, which for sure is interpreted as a King, and it is such inappropriate manner and unwise behaviour done by a King. 3. Big contribution from Tree & Birds for Cinderella Cinderella went to her mother’s grave, under the hazel bush, and cried, “Little tree, little tree, shake over me, that silver and gold may come down and cover me.” Then the bird threw down a dress of gold and silver, and a pair of slippers embroidered with silk and silver. The huge contribution done by Tree & Bird represent that these characters are just as important as another centered character. As for their Contribution, it could change the fate of Cinderella for letting her having dress and went to the festival. If they were not there, there would not be that chance of Cinderella meeting the prince. 4. The disappearance of Cinderella's father in the story “only my dead wife left behind her a little stunted Cinderella; it is impossible that she can be the bride.” This line of Cinderella father suddenly appear in the event when the Prince asked for another daughter after he has been missing in the whole narration and dialogues before it. In this line, it tells us that Cinderella's father is fully aware that he still has Cinderella, and her condition being suffered by his new wife and step daughters. But all these missing and nonsense disappearance of his role as a father of Cinderella is truly odd since he did not do something at all for the sake of Cinderella.