Cinderella Reimagined: A Feminist Analysis of Empowerment and Agency in Classic Tale and Contemporary Film Adaptations

Abstract

A comparative feminist study of the classic ""Cinderella"" by Charles Perrault, the movie ""Cinderella: Ever After,"" and the 2021 adaptation of the same name is presented in this dissertation. The study explores how the Cinderella story has changed over time and how contemporary retellings either question or reinforce developed gender roles by placing each version within its historical and cultural context. In order to evaluate how femininity, agency, and independence are portrayed in the three works, the study makes use of feminist literary theory. According to the research, Perrault's original story maintains traditional gender standards and idealises submissive femininity, but modern versions place a greater emphasis on female autonomy and self-determination. Both ""Cinderella: Ever After"" and ""Cinderella"" (2021) retell the story of the heroine, emphasising empowerment and self-actualisation above obedience and purity. In order to reflect changing cultural views on women's roles, these adaptations reimagine supporting characters and story outcomes, introducing complex portrayals of gender. By providing an analytical examination of the thematic, structural, and stylistic elements of each rendition, the dissertation advances the discipline and draws attention to how the Cinderella tale functions as a cultural mirror for evolving feminist discourses. Important conclusions show that contemporary retellings broaden the genre's interpretative potential by challenging conventional tropes and addressing current discussions about gender equality. This piece highlights the timeless value of fairy tales in literary and cultural studies by showing how critical discourse about identity, agency, and social change may be generated by reimagining classic works.