Cinderella
Cinderella - meaning Summary
Alienation at the Ball
Plath’s "Cinderella" reimagines the fairy tale as a scene of social spectacle that highlights a young woman’s alienation. The poem traces a glittering ballroom and a magnetic prince, but focuses on the girl’s sudden panic and sense of not belonging as midnight approaches. It frames identity and societal expectation through imagery of glass, music, and ticking time, turning enchantment into anxiety and isolation.
Read Complete AnalysesThe prince leans to the girl in scarlet heels, Her green eyes slant, hair flaring in a fan Of silver as the rondo slows; now reels Begin on tilted violins to span The whole revolving tall glass palace hall Where guests slide gliding into light like wine; Rose candles flicker on the lilac wall Reflecting in a million flagons' shine, And glided couples all in whirling trance Follow holiday revel begun long since, Until near twelve the strange girl all at once Guilt-stricken halts, pales, clings to the prince As amid the hectic music and cocktail talk She hears the caustic ticking of the clock.
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