Question

Perhaps the message in this poem is that there are two sides to every story. Whose side of the story do you tend to believe? Explain why.

Answer 1

This poem uses a modern-day event—an interview with the press—to present an unexpected point of view on the story of Cinderella. As you read the poem, decide who the speaker is. What tone do you hear in the poem; that is, what is the speaker’s attitude or feeling toward Cinderella? Do you believe the speaker?
Yes, this is where she lived before she won
The title Miss Glass Slipper of the Year,
And went to the ball and married the king’s son.
You’re from the local press, and want to hear

5 About her early life? Young man, sit down.
These are my own two daughters; you’ll not find
Nicer, more biddable girls in all the town,
And lucky, I tell them, not to be the kind
That Cinderella was, spreading those lies,

10 Telling those shameless tales about the way
We treated her. Oh, nobody denies
That she was pretty, if you like those curls.
But looks aren’t everything, I always say.
Be sweet and natural, I tell my girls,

15 And Mr. Right will come along, someday.

Answer 2

The speaker is Cinderella's step mother. She is jealous of Cinderella. I do not believe her because she sounds bitter.