Introduction
Cinderella’s name is often associated with the archetype of a young woman who lives in an illusion, making sacrifices to achieve an almost unattainable objective. Modern psychologists often resort to this fairy tale character popularized by the Grimm Brothers because she was portrayed as susceptible to dissociation. In Zahari’s article, for example, it is noted that Cinderella’s main objective was to marry a prince, despite the hardships she endured (100).
Despite these insights, Jungian views should be included in the discussion of this topic to explain how motifs and symbols go beyond mere sacrifice. This essay will outline the fundamental psychological variables that define the archetypal image of Cinderella and argue that Cinderella’s integrity became her main asset, enabling her to reach the pinnacle of personal development: inner strength and an omnipresent influence on others.
Symbols
The most significant symbol in the fairy tale is that Cinderella is deprived of her mother’s love too early, having to cope with the resulting emotional turmoil. Instead of supporting his daughter, Cinderella’s father married another woman and focused on his own well-being. Hence, after her mother’s death and father’s detachment, Cinderella lost her Eros and Logos, respectively. All the housework assigned to Cinderella by an authoritative stepmother can be summarized as the collective consciousness’s dominance. In spiritual terms, Cinderella’s work metaphorically represents a person’s cleansing.
Another vital symbol that cannot be overlooked is water. If one connects Jungian psychology to Cinderella, it will be evident that water is the main character’s compensatory and creative foundation for the unconscious. Knowing that conscious prerequisites are often altered by the unconscious, one can hypothesize that Cinderella’s biggest challenge is that she lacks feelings. Her female psyche is transformed by masculine principles, which Cinderella must endure to strengthen her approach to interacting with others. Whenever Cinderella is mentioned cooking throughout the story, it sends the reader back to the notion of the Self introduced by Jung because the main character mixes elements to stimulate the unconscious and become the best version of herself.
Thus, another symbol is evident when Cinderella’s father brings a hazel branch, which almost knocks his hat off. If one looks at this from the Jungian perspective, it virtually symbolizes the father’s altered social status and how misbehavior has led to the father’s paternal qualities deteriorating due to detachment. It is also rather symbolic that Cinderella’s personality becomes stronger after she plants the hazel tree on her mother’s grave and waters it with her tears.
Archetypes
Another essential topic to be covered within the current paper is the presence of archetypal images that propel Cinderella’s hero’s journey forward. For example, the tree represents the main character’s individuation process and the need to reckon with natural forces that reflect the strength and can be regarded as symbols of resurrection. Hence, Cinderella is a literary myth that describes the path of a weak individual who becomes stronger with every challenge they face. In Jungian psychology, this is the process by which Cinderella uses her Anima to connect her conscious and unconscious minds. The bird represents Anima, and Cinderella’s mother’s incarnation is depicted using the tree and the bird together.
Although the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale does not offer a detailed account of death and resurrection, Cinderella still undergoes the required transformation. She begins to understand the steps she must take to achieve success and experience a renaissance that will grant her own wish. Hence, when the trees burn, Cinderella gains a deeper understanding of the cycle of life and is moved by the need to act quickly. The connection with the godmother is another archetypal element of the story because it outlines Cinderella’s future.
Motifs
More interestingly, Cinderella is also affected by the inclusion of the motif of sorting grains. This is a rather complex task that can be completed only when the person is calm, patient, and displays sensory comprehension, which is another reference to Eros. Throughout this process, Cinderella alters her perception of the world while also cultivating sensual discernment.
The main character’s spirit is further empowered by a bird that helps Cinderella separate the grains and finish the task successfully (Grimm Brothers). Even so, the most important motif in the fairy tale is the mother figure, represented by a fairy who is also regarded as Cinderella’s godmother. According to Jungian psychology, the fairy could be a sign that Cinderella’s consciousness is becoming stronger, as something divine and inexplicable lies behind the godmother’s image.
Symbols and archetypes discussed above – such as the tree and grains – can be seen as motifs. The main character undergoes suffering to develop an entirely new understanding of the world around her and reestablish her revised Self. This extreme disintegration is required to impact the unconscious and strengthen the main character’s spirit. Thus, Cinderella becomes stronger with every other task assigned to her by the stepmother.
The main character’s consciousness gets exposed to the transformative influence generated by mishaps, shaping Cinderella’s Self. Accordingly, Cinderella’s journey is a motif in itself, as she must pursue her dreams with an open mind to understand her strengths and weaknesses while seeking happiness. Hence, Cinderella’s artificial Persona is gone because she recognizes the importance of the Self and capitalizes on emotions, empathy, and desires.
Cinderella from the Jungian Psychology Perspective
Overall, Jungian psychology can be applied to answer several questions about Cinderella’s past and future throughout the story. The main character’s Animus is influenced by her conscientiousness and willingness to display humility, regardless of what happens around her. As soon as Cinderella realizes that disappointment and resentment can be overturned, she comes back stronger, nurturing the unique “philosopher’s stone” in the form of subtle intuition and feminine energy.
Cinderella’s active imagination pushes her forward and turns the most miraculous dream into a reality for the main character. In line with Jungian psychology, it becomes possible because Cinderella finally steps beyond her father’s detachment and focuses on Eros to gain a deeper insight into the feelings she wants to and can experience. When Cinderella decides to attend the ball, it signifies her transition from a darker place to a much more empowered self.
Although readers may perceive it as a miraculous phenomenon, it is actually a logical transformation that occurs when a person focuses on what is truly important in their life. The Grimm Brothers’ decision to include magical energy in Cinderella sets a precedent for higher energy influencing human lives. The Shadow aspect of Cinderella’s personality is quickly sent to the background to solidify the main character’s transformation.
Another element to highlight the conversion is the inclusion of slippers, which can be seen as a symbol of the Self and a representation of one’s libido and enlightenment. Cinderella’s Self develops to the extent that she becomes independent and more in touch with her Animus, channeling feminine energy. This spiritual and sensual liberation finally becomes acknowledged by Cinderella closer to the end of the fairy tale, highlighting the interconnectedness between symbols, motifs, and archetypes.
Conclusion
With the evidence presented above, it can be safe to conclude that others often overlook Cinderella’s unrecognized attributes because she is neglected and not expected to achieve success at all. The archetype of Cinderella can be misinterpreted due to the thin line between self-love and sacrifice. Hence, the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale proves that the power of true love and self-respect can overcome any obstacles. Jungian psychology views Cinderella as a confused young person who capitalizes on the desire for love and acceptance.
Therefore, motifs and symbols included in the fairy tale serve as supporting tools in demonstrating that acceptance and empathy form the foundation of a powerful personality. Even though Cinderella is driven by her desires, the intent is transparent and does not feature any negative traits. All the remaining archetypes included in the fairy tale reinforce the need to address societal and cultural circumstances. Regardless of her wishes, Cinderella maintains her integrity, which ultimately leads her to a happy ending.
Works Cited
Grimm Brothers. “Cinderella.” Grimms’ Fairy Tales.
Zahari, Nor Ainun Barieah Binti. “The Heroes’ Journey: An Archetypal Analysis of Hansel and Gretel.” Elite: English and Literature Journal, vol. 9, no. 2, 2022, pp. 98-111.