XClose

Culture Online

Home
Menu

If Cinderella’s shoe fit her perfectly, then why did it fall off?

If the shoe fits...or rather doesn't...

Cinderella running away from prince

29 March 2021

Fairy tales often follow basic narrative arcs - three-act structures with a beginning, middle and end (setup, confrontation, and resolution). There are also specific components of fairy tales and fantasy stories that have elements of magic, wonder and conflict. Some of the conventions in fairy tales like Cinderella include a hero or heroine who overcomes an obstacle, and there is typically an overarching moral lesson. 

The climax usually occurs in the middle of a story and is often the most interesting and/or unexpected part of the narrative. In the case of Cinderella and her glass slipper, the story reaches its climax when her shoe falls off as she hurriedly exits the ball. So, whilst Cinderella's shoe should fit her perfectly, it is a plot device that drives the story towards the resolution.

Cinderella's fallen slipper becomes a key identifier, and the prince uses it to find his way back to her. The fallen slipper leads to the typical 'Happily ever after' ending, so the action of the shoe falling off must happen before we reach this point.