Though Cinderella.
Cinderella was wildly popular upon its release and seventy years later, not much has changed. Though the film's narrative was tight-knit, there are still a few questions we have after rewatching the classic. We're here to dive deeper into these now.
Before we get started, it's worth noting that we won't be considering anything discussed in the Cinderella sequels or the live-action remake. It's time to turn back the clock and get to the ball before midnight; Here are 10 things about Cinderella that don't make any sense.
Why Did Cinderella’s Dad Marry Lady Tremaine?
At the beginning of Cinderella, the narrator establishes that the titular heroine's mother has died. Because Cinderella's father is kind and devoted, he decides to remarry so that his daughter might have a strong female presence in her life. He soon es, however, and Lady Tremaine reveals her cruel nature.
Though it is clear that Cinderella's father wasn't aware that the woman he married was evil, it's still a shock he managed to fall in love with her in the first place. Had Cinderella's father never died, would she have continued to put up a gentle front? Was Lady Tremaine secretly the one who killed him? These questions are never answered.
Why Can Only Some Of The Animals Talk?
Though Cinderella doesn't have many human friends, she does have lots of animal ones. However, the rules these creatures follow are not consistent.
While animals like the birds and Lucifer (the cat) are unable to speak, Jaq (a mouse) has no problem having full conversations with Cinderella. Additionally, certain animals (including the birds and mice) remain clothed while Bruno (the dog) and Lucifer run around freely.
Why Did The Fairy Godmother Wait So Long To Show Up?
Cinderella had been suffering under the supervision of her stepmother ever since her father ed. In addition to dealing with her demanding stepsisters, the maiden was forced to care for a giant manor by doing all the cooking and cleaning.
If Cinderella was doing so poorly, why didn't her fairy godmother show up sooner? It would have saved Cinderella a lot of heartache had the magical woman poofed into her life several years earlier. While we respect the fairy godmother's decision to show up for a fashion emergency, we're sure this wasn't the only time she could have offered her powers.
How Does The Fairy Godmother’s Magic Work?
On a similar topic, while we know Cinderella's fairy godmother has powers, they're not explained very well. She seems to be able to summon anything she wants at the wave of her wand, yet there are still some unexplained limits.
For example, why will all the things the fairy godmother created for Cinderella disappear at the oddly specific time of midnight? Why not at 12:01 or in an hour or in three days?
Why Don't The Stepsisters Recognize Cinderella At The Ball?
When Cinderella arrives at the ball, she's sporting a sparkly dress and classy updo. Yes, this look is a lot different than the dull maid's outfit she wears home. However, it's still surprising that her stepsisters and stepmother failed to recognize her at the ball.
Maybe the lighting was dim, maybe Cinderella was too far away to see, or maybe the magic caused the stepsisters to believe she was someone else. That being said, blaming their inability to recognize Cinderella on any of these things seems like a copout.
Why Wasn't Cinderella Honest With The Prince?
We fully recognize that Cinderella lived in an abusive household, therefore, she might not have thought-through decisions in a normal, healthy way. With that considered, it's still surprising that she didn't alert the prince that the magic would disappear at midnight. She could have instead given Charming her name and address or some other way to find her. Because the prince was looking for a wife, it's confusing why Cinderella wasn't more open about herself. It would have helped her get out of the bad situation she was in.
Additionally, Charming wouldn’t have invited every woman in the kingdom to the ball if he wasn’t interested in marrying a commoner, so the cards were in her favor.
Why Was The Prince After A Girl He Knew Nothing About?
Though Prince Charming's desire for true love is expanded in the third Cinderella installment, we don't know much about him in the original film. We know that the kingdom prides itself in treasuring romance and tradition, and we know that Charming's father wants to see him married.
Though this may all be true, marrying a commoner doesn't make a lot of political sense. Additionally, marrying a girl you met just one night is a big mistake. While more modern fairytales like Enchanted have cleared this up, this classic fails to establish what about Cinderella (outside of her prettiness and kindness) had Prince Charming ready to slide a ring on her finger.
How Did Cinderella’s Shoe Slip Off?
Cinderella's glass slippers are said to be the perfect fit. After all, we know how the movie ends. They do fit perfectly and had they not, Prince Charming would have never discovered that she was the mystery girl he met at the ball.
If the glass slippers were such a true fit, however, why did one of them slip off so easily as she was running away from the prince before midnight? Sure, stairs are difficult to bound down. It still seemed like a rather convenient time for a shoe to come loose.
Why Didn’t The Glass Slippers Disappear?
When the clock strikes midnight, all the magic the fairy godmother bestowed on Cinderella disappears except for one big exception: the glass slippers. Cinderella's shoes stay behind, and Cinderella holds on to the lone slipper still in her possession as a memory of the magical night she just experienced.
Though some have suggested that the slippers don't disappear because they are a gift from the fairy godmother, the earlier discussed inconsistencies in her magic remain questionable.
The Prince Tries To Find His Mystery Woman Based On Her Shoe Size
Perhaps one of the most difficult things to figure out about Cinderella is how the castle's men thought they could search out Prince Charming's mystery woman by putting a shoe on every girl in the kingdom.
Some have suggested that Cinderella has exceedingly small feet. Others have considered that magic might have played a role in the glass slipper only fitting Cinderella. However, it's hard to believe that this maiden is the only one in the entire kingdom who has her exact shoe size. Even if the shoe was enchanted, Prince Charming didn't know this when he embarked on his shoe-fitting quest. Speaking of the prince, if he was so enchanted by Cinderella, you'd think he'd be able to recognize her face. A simple glance at all the ladies might not have been as dreamy, but it would have saved a lot of time.
