Anne Sexton's poem "Cinderella" is based on the Grimm Brother's story of the same name. Though both are dark and cynical, Sexton brings a modern twist to the tale, infusing her poem with sarcasm regarding politics and generalities of today. Her use of symbolism and allusion may tend to seem contradictory at first, but the underlying irony and narrator interruption proves Sexton's hatred for the unrealistic "happily ever after" love story that society reads to find what they believe is true happiness.
One of the largest controversies in "Cinderella" are the gender roles. America has passed many sexism barriers since 1812 when the Grimm Brother's first published their version of "Cinderella," but the fact that in this classic it is the Prince who always saves the Princess, and that it is worth self-mutilation to capture the heart of a man still does not sit well with many people (O'Neill). At this point in the poem Sexton follows the Grimm Brother's storyline with, "But her big toe got in the way so she simply sliced it off and put on the slipper" (82-82). The alliteration in these lines accentuates the sarcastic tone Sexton feels toward the gender roles in this time period, and how absurd she thinks it is that the step-sisters are willing to cause self-harm in order to marry the Prince. Not only does she see and present the step-sisters and stepmother in a bad light as we often see them portrayed, but her over all view of this fairytale story has a negative connotation.
The only point in the story where hope is seen is when the dove is introduced into the poem and even that ends negatively. Sexton introduces the dove by interrupting and telling the audience, "The bird is important, my dears, so heed him" (40). The bird can be looked upon as the mother of Cinderella, but since the dove is referred to as "him" it is more likely that the dove represents God.
