Dana Cavanaugh’s favorite fairy tale is the perennial favorite, Cinderella. Of all fairy tales with a princess as the protagonist, Cinderella has inspired more interpretations in movies and books than any other. Although Dana did not have much exposure to fairy tales as a child, she came to loveCinderella through her daughter and her students. As a pre-school teacher and a mother of three, Dana has tremendous experience with little girls and their devotion to the story of Cinderella.
JL: So Cinderella is the favorite?
DC: My daughter loved all things relating to princesses, but of all the princesses, Cinderella fascinated my daughter by what she represented.
JL: When did the fascination with Cinderella begin?
DC: We got my daughter a yellow princess dress when she was under two years old, which she called her Cinderella dress. She loved it and wore it constantly. Many of my pre-school students are the same. They spend all of their free time in the dress up area pretending to be princesses.
JL: Do you think it’s about beauty?
DC: I think the aesthetics are a big part of it. Many children spend a lot of time playing dress up, pretending, and using their imaginations. Everything about the princess part of Cinderella is beautiful – the shoes, the dresses, the tiaras, the horse-drawn carriage and the castle.
JL: What in the story of Cinderella has such appeal?
DC: She is so approachable and likable. She has a sunny and sweet disposition and yet she is treated so poorly. The family dynamics in Cinderella are very dark – it’s fascinating that the women treat each other so badly in that story. Cinderella was very alone in a bad situation. The girls feel badly for her, and they really root for her as the underdog. When she comes out on top, it’s both magical and deeply satisfying.
JL: Where do you think the magic comes from?
DC: I think for little girls, magic comes from the ideal. Although Cinderella struggles and suffers, she gets everything she wants in the end. Everything ends up so perfectly, and little girls want things to be perfect. I feel that all children have an innocent optimism. They feel that it’s only right that the good thing is should happen to the nice person.
