Tag Answers ~ Cinderella Week

Here are my answers to the tag Heidi has posted!  Be sure to check out the post in the link--Cinderella Week has officially begun!!! :)

1. In the vast array of fairytale heroines, what particular character qualities most define Cinderella?
I would say hope, kindness and imagination.


2. What are some of the deeper, big picture differences you see between retellings where both stepsisters are nasty and others where one is nasty and one is kind? How do you think the two takes differently develop/illuminate/affect Cinderella’s character and also the overarching story itself?  
I prefer retellings where one stepsister is kind (Ever After for the win!).  For one thing, I rather feel that this balance between nastiness and kindness is more realistic--isn't there a good chance that an exacting mother's personality wouldn't have affected at least one sister?  When both stepsisters are awful, frivolous wretches, we have no choice but to dislike the entirety of Cinderella's newly acquired family, but if one of the sisters is a decent human being, there's some equilibrium, and Cinderella isn't wholly on her own.  I think it also adds another layer to the retelling that way.  That's part of the reason why, in my personal opinion, Ever After is the best Cinderella retelling I've experienced:  it's realistic.  It's textured, layered, original...plus it's just a wholly delightful movie ;)

3. Are you an animal lover? Would you eagerly count mice, lizards, cows, and geese as friends? Dogs and cats?  
Most certainly, I am ;)  I read and watched a lot of stories that centered around animals when I was younger, and I still really love those kinds of stories, such as the Redwall series and The Wind in the Willows.  And yes, I would!


4. After asking question #3, I realized how remarkably many of the adaptations I’ve seen have Cinderella either horseback riding or involved with horses. Have you ever ridden? If so, have you ever ridden sidesaddle or bareback?  
Good point, that.  No, sadly, I have never ridden, but I've always thought it would be rather cool.  (Unless you count those occasional awkward experiences we all had as kids wherein we would sit on a horse, a stranger would lead them slowly and methodically in a circle, and you would get off having gained nothing.  KIDDING.  I'M KIDDING.)

5. Your favorite Cinderella dress/s?  
So, I'm in a bit of a pickle here.  I love and adore and sigh blissfully over almost ever single Cinderella dress I've seen, BUT I've just now discovered that in general, I'm not a hugely devoted fan of a full-on ball gown for my own personal style (as in, I love them and I love looking at them, and they make me oodles-of-happy and all, but I don't know how well they would look on me).  So I really love the long, loose, and flowing look.  I guess, long-winded explanation aside, my favorite Cinderella dress would be 2015 Ella's wedding dress.  T'IS SO GORGEOUS.


6. Do you ever think of Cinderella while doing your household chores? :)  
Haha!  Not really, actually.  Not sure why, but it just doesn't seem to happen a lot.

7. What major character traits do you think are essential in a faithful prince?  
Hmm…as in a Cinderella prince?  Well, I absolutely love both Kit and Henri, and I think they both bring out great "princely qualities".  I'd say (for a Cinderella prince, mind you--not necessarily a possible Significant Other for moi, though he should have these qualities too ;P) respect, inner peace strength, and humility.  


8. Your top THREE favorite fairy tales (as in the original folk tales, not adaptations).  
…Does Barrie's original Peter Pan count?  Imma pretend it does.  So that, probably Beauty and the Beast (I haven't read up on the original tale yet), and definitely Hans Christian Anderson's original Little Mermaid.  I don't care for the Disney movie, but the original tale, at least as I've heard it, is GORGEOUS.  Sad, but beautifully sad.   

9. Your top FIVE current favorite fairy tale/legend type films (BESIDES any Cinderella adaptations).  Sheesh!  I don't think I can pick.  However, one that I'm really obsessed with right now is a childhood favorite:  The Swan Princess.  It's non-Disney, hilarious, beautiful, and just generally DA BESTEST.  My header is a still from it, in case you were wondering.  

10. If you could play Cinderella and the story could be set in any region of the world and anytime period, what would you pick? And what would your dream ‘ball gown’ for it be like?  
I'd love--GUYS.  I just had a brainwave.  A Middle-earth Cinderella.  HECK. TO THE YES.  Can you imagine?!  Okay, okay, SO:  there's an elven prince who falls for an elf maiden of inferior social rank.  I JUST.  I don't even care if it's inconsistent with Tolkien's world, right now I'm totally digging this.  And that way, I could wear a long, flowing, sleek ball gown, instead of an actual ball gown!

This'll do.  Or, something similar, not necessarily that exactly.

11. And (purely for fun :))… what color/s do you immediately associate with Cinderella?  
Blue and white, of course ;)  And hints of pink and gold.

Thanks for the tag and the week, Heidi! :)

Comments

  1. Ohh, I LOVE all the pictures you included! They're so beautiful.

    I forgot about Peter Pan!! That's definitely one of my favorites, too. Although it's not strictly a fairy tale, it's kind of fairy tale-ish. ;)

    Growing up with the Disney film of Little Mermaid, I read the H.C. Andersen story recently and was disgusted by how terriblely it ended. I can't remember it otherwise, though. Maybe I'll give it another try.

    THE SWAN PRINCESS!! I used to LOVE that movie when I was little, but haven't seen it in forever. I need to.

    Oohhhhh myyy, Olivia!!!! THAT IS A REALLY AMAZING IDEA!!! Tolkien meets Cinderella. Wow. You need to write a fan fiction or something. That would be amazing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Squeeee, thanks, Natalie! I had a lot of fun picking them out :D

      Yes! I was wondering whether or not it could be technically classified as a fairytale...eventually I just though, oh, sure, why not ;)

      Haha! I understand. I probably would have that reaction, too, except I've never been that fond of the Disney movie :P

      EEEEEE I LOVE IT SO MUUUUUUCH. It just MAKES ME SO HAPPY :D

      Thank you thank you! I'm kind of psyched about it myself ;D Ooh! Maybe I should try a fan fiction...

      Delete
  2. A Middle-Earth Cinderella. YASS.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I KNOW, RIGHT. Thanks for commenting, Meredith! :)

      Delete
  3. MIDDLE-EARTH CINDERELLA!!!!! I love it!!! Someone should write a book or do a movie like that, it would be awesome! Great idea, Olivia!! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EEEEEEEEEEE! Thanks, Morgan! Glad you agree :)

      Delete
  4. Loved your answers!!!! :) (And your pictures... A couple may be popping up on my Pinterest sooner or later. "If you don't mind." High five if you got the quote... ;))

    "Hope, kindness and imagination." Those three are excellent. I particularly love how you highlighted the imagination. She has that quality in both the 2015 and EA (in a slightly different way).

    I'm laughing about #4...

    And I want to read that LOTR fan fiction!! ;D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Heidi! They were fun! (Of course I don't mind ;P And I feel like I do get the quote, but I can't place it!)

      Thanks! Yeah, I was trying to figure out some way of encapsulating her "dreamy" qualities.

      *giggles* Yesh...

      Aww, thanks! :D


      Delete
    2. Hee... The short quote's from Prince Henry at the end of Ever After. ;D

      Delete
    3. Ahhh, NOW I understand. (That's a reference, too!) I love EA. It's just such an amazing movie :D

      Delete
  5. Lupita's gown... I just adore that one; despite the low-neck-line. (People did compare her to Cinderella for a time. :-D) She wears it so WELL. :-)

    Loved your answers, dear!

    ~ Naomi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, right?! We've talked ;) (Aww, did they? I agree.) YES, she really does! The color and style are absolutely PERFECT for her!!!

      Thanks ever so much, love! :)

      Delete
  6. Your answers were most amusing. :D (I laughed especially at #4. Haha. Totally relate about the pathetic 'horse ride' little kids have to go through. :P)
    A middle earth Cinderella? Wow, I can TOTALLY see this being amazing. :D Yes!! That is a SPLENDID idea. I don't know if I'd be able to cope with the sheer awesomeness that would come with it, though. ;)
    Of course everyone's going to say blue. ;D (I would!) Blue is my favourite colour, hands down. And her ball gown in the 2015 Cinderella - oh. my. word. That is totally my ideal, dream dress. I would endure a corset to wear that. (Well, I actually wore a corset to a masquerade ball this year. I surprisingly didn't faint. :P)
    I enjoyed reading your answers very much!!! :)
    ~Miss Meg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks loads, Miss Meg! :D (Glad you can relate!)

      I know, wouldn't it be fantastic?!

      Blue is definitely one of my favorite colors. And yes, '15 ballgown is like THE quintessential Cinderella ballgown! (YOU WENT TO A MASQUERADE?!?! You lucky thing you! I'm kind of jealous now...)

      Thanks! Loved your comment :)

      Delete
  7. Great answers. And pictures (seriously where do you find them??)

    I completely agree with #2 that is one of my favourite thing about Ever After as it is..

    Cinderella's Wedding dress!! I agree, I almost like that one better than the ball gown.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Rose! (Hehe, just Pinterest--search Cinderella and do a bit of finagling and there they are! It was a bit tough to find them, but
      not too hard :))

      Yes! EA is just so fantastic, isn't it?

      Yuuussss, I love it so much :D

      Thanks for your comment, Rose!

      Delete
  8. Lovely answers m'dear!

    The wedding dress is the prettiest in my book.. I mean I love the other one, but at times its to much ball gown. I'm glad to find you agree! ;)

    OH. MY. SOUL. YES!! A MIDDLE EARTH CINDERELLA??? YES YES A THOUSAND TIMES YES!!! Sorry. I think my computer got stuck on caps. ;) But that would be so elegant and serene and the dress would be a chunk of heaven. You've had a real brainwave with that un' m'dear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, darlin'!

      YES! I'm so glad you agree about that, Abigail! The wedding dress is just so ELEGANT.

      EEEEEEEEEEKKKKK!!! I'm so glad everybody is liking this idea. Wouldn't it be stupendous?!

      Delete
  9. I know just what you mean--I don't reeeeeeeaalllyyy fancy myself in a ball gown either. Or, rather, it would have to be a very SPECIFIC type of ball gown in order to look good on me. For instance, I could never wear the blue gown from the 2015 movie, EVEN THOUGH I love it to bits. It's all about personal style, ya know what I mean? ;-)

    Inner peace . . . Mmmm-hmmmmm. Yes. Indeed.

    A Middle-Earth Cinderella? Olivia--that is BRILLIANT!!! I love that! You really should try it sometime--it'd be awesome! Gee, I can just see it now . . . :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YOU UNDERSTAND. That's exactly what I was trying to say about the ballgown--I love it to bitsy bits, but I just don't know how well I myself could pull it off, y'know ;)

      Daww, thanks! I think I might try my hand at it...

      Delete
  10. MIDDLE EARTH CINDERELLA! Like, what even. That would be make a fascinating story! I like ball gowns, myself, except I don't usually see a neckline that I could actually live with :P

    Humility - definitely. Ah, yes, and inner peace :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wouldn't it, Rosie?! Yeah, I know what you mean about the necklines. They can be irritating :P

      Glad you agree :D

      Delete
  11. I would love to see a Middle-Earth Cinderella. Someone needs to start making that. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Okay. I think I need to watch Ever After... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Miss March, you DEFINITELY need to watch Ever After. You'll love it! I just have a feeling…;)

      Delete
  13. Loved reading your answers! The part about riding the horse, hilarious. And Cinderella as an elf in Middle-Earth with a gorgeous flowing dress?!? Yes please! Too awesome. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Faith! Haha, thanks ;) Wouldn't it be fun?!?!

      Delete
  14. This post just screams beautiful!! All the pictures are GORGEOUS, and I'm seriously just flailing over here because I can't handle all the beauty encapsulated in this.

    *gasps* GIRL YOU NEED TO WRITE IT! A Middle-earth Cinderella story seriously NEEDS to be a thing! I don't think I'll ever be truly satisfied until it is written.

    Also, I have to concur with you. Ella's wedding dress in '15 is positively breathtaking! (But, then again, all of the costumes from that movie were the most scrumptious things ever.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awwwww, thanks, girl! Your comment made me so happy :D

      Eeeeeeeeek! Thanks! I'm considering writing it and posting it in installments…we'll see.

      Yes, I know, aren't they?! Just…that costume designer...

      Delete
  15. Lovely post!! Oh You need to email me so I can give you access to ze blog.. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Evie! (Oh, and thanks for the email invite--I really AM going to go and check it out soon.)

      Delete
  16. A Middle-Earth Cinderella! That idea is golden! Hahaha! What a wonderful idea. I like how your mind works, Olivia!

    And Swan Princess...love!

    I prefer loose and flowing dresses too! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, thanks so much, Cordy! :D

      DAT MOVIE IS LIFE.

      Yay! *high five* I just love them so much :D

      Delete
  17. Oh my goodness! A Middle Earth Cinderella? That makes me laugh! Beren and Luthien and Arwen and Aragorn are kind of like a Middle Earth Cinderella though only the roles of the guy and girl are reversed. And a Swan Princess is the best! I have a childlike love for that movie. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lois, hahaha, I know, right?! And The Swan Princess...'nuff said ;) I WUVS IT SO.

      Delete
  18. Eeep! Wind in the Willows and Ever After and Redwall AND Middle Earth all in one post! Grins and sighs happily.

    So.. your elven prince falling for a lesser class elven maiden made me giggle a little because: TAURIEL!!!! Yay.

    I actually quite love Tauriel, though she's not canon... I don't care, I love her anyway.

    Love your answers! Cinderella week is fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JENELLE! You know Redwall?!?! *high five* That series is my childhood. Have you listened to the audio recordings Brian Jacques did with a full cast? They are quite simply the best.

      Haha! Yeah, Tauriel did cross my mind when I thought of it :P I like Tauriel herself, but I'm not huge on the love triangle. But then, my opinions on that whole trilogy are slightly indifferent and pretty fluctuating, so...hehe, yep.

      Thanks so much!!

      Delete
  19. Love the Middle-earth Cinderella idea, Livy!!!!!

    And awesome answers!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments make my day. Seriously. I'd be so happy if you commented. :)

I've gotten really bad about replying in a timely manner, but it's always my intention to do so eventually. (Even though it doesn't always happen. ;))

Popular posts from this blog

Movies: Month in Review {February 2018}

Ivanhoe (1997) movie review

BBC Robin Hood TV Series, Season 1 Review