In the article "Cinderella: Not So Morally Superior," Elisabeth Panttaja argues that Cinderella isn't successful because of her virtues, hard work, or patience, but because she's willing to and uses magic to defeat her enemies. Her article is based on the idea that Cinderella isn't such a "princess" after all, and that she has moral flaws as well. Panttaja downplays some of Cinderella's positive aspects that add to a better, more princess-like character. Her main issues are with Cinderella's mother and with the presence of love regarding the prince.
             The author begins her argument by addressing her issues regarding Cinderella's mother. In most Cinderella stories that we're familiar with, Cinderella's mother is basically nonexistent in terms of the story's plot, but Panttaja strongly argues otherwise. She states that Cinderella's mother has everything to do with the story, and that her mother holds a lot of power over the plot and its outcome. Her mother, while presumed dead, uses her magical powers to defend Cinderella in the various obstacles she faces on her journey to success.
             Panttaja then addresses Cinderella's mother and stepmother. The stories we hear are always presenting Cinderella's mother as good and her stepmother as evil. Panttaja, however, makes the two look much more equal regarding morale. They both want what's best for their daughters. Her mother, though, always seems to win. Panttaja believes that Cinderella's successes come solely through trusting in her mother's powers. Even regarding the prince, according to the author, he chooses Cinderella not on his own criteria, but because of the mother's magic. Panttaja states that "The happy ending proves that it is the mother, after all, who has been the power of the story" (Panttaja 660). The author stresses the importance of the mother, especially because C...