Deconstructing Cinderella - Helping students explore their own myths
Appendix 1:
Sample essays by Japanese jr. college sophomores describing their "Cinderella Dream"
| Sample 1 |
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I'd like to tell you about my Cinderella Dream. I want to dress up like Marie Antoinette - in a lace corset, wear a gorgeous dress, wear heavy make up and wear a lot of jewelry. Maybe the dress would be dark red. Then a prince like the young Tsar Peter would pick me up riding a gorgeous carriage, and take me to Versailles Palace. And there, we would have a magnificent party.
- K. Miwa (age 19) |
| Sample 2 |
|
If I were a Cinderella, I would like to wear a light blue, lacy dress with some jewelry. My hair would be in a long perm. I would enter a pumpkin couch, and go to very mysterious castle. My prince would be there. I would have a dance with him in a dance hall. He would be about 180 centimeters tall. And he would be strong and gentle, but not so muscular. He would resemble Tom Hanks. I would spend very peaceful time.
- Y. Miyachi (age 19) |
| Sample 3 |
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I'm going to go to a party tonight. I'm changing clothes now. I'm still not sure which dresses to wear. One is white, fluffy, and long, and the other is light pink and a middle-length dress. Hmmm, ok, I will decide to wear the white dress and some white gloves, diamonds, a tiara, a necklace, pearl earrings and white high heels, too. Oh! I have to go to the party soon!!! (I will get in the car, let a maid drive and think of my prince.) The prince lives in France. He is so cool. I like his eyes. His eyes are deep blue like the sea. And he is beyond description. He is very, very kind. (I arrive at his castle.)
- H. Mizuno (age 20) |
| Sample 4 |
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I want to wear a white dress and skirt which is long and straight. And my hair style should be very long, black, and straight. My shoes should be white, too. And my make-up should be like the actress Nanako Matsushima.
By the way, my prince should be very tall, like the actor Manabu Oshio. And I should be about 23 years old and he should be 25. And we should meet in a castle. There should be many beautiful lakes around the castle and a lot of trees. It should be a summer night.
- N. Kimura (age 19) |
| Sample 5 |
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Someday I would like to wear my best dress and go out. I would like to wear a long, white, fluffy dress trimmed with lace. I would like to wear white high heel shoes. Now I have short hair. I would like to grow long and do my hair up. I would like to put on many accessories. For example a diamond ring, necklace, earrings and so on. I would wear also like to wear some on that night.
I would like to walk with boyfriend. He would look great. I think good he would be about 170 centimeters tall. He would be very kind. I would ride a limousine from my house to the party. The party would be gorgeous. I would talk with many people and eat delicious foods. I think my dream will come true.
- Y. Matsumoto (age 21) |
| Sample 6 |
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On a calm night, I am filled with excitement. I ride to party in a chauffeured Rolls Royce. I wear a rather tight dress and white pumps (shoes). My hair is done up beautifully. I have a diamond necklace on. I dance a classic waltz with a nice man. He is very tall and has a rather tight suit on. There is nobody around. We spent a good time. About midnight I must go home. I really hate to say good bye to him. He kisses me on my shoulder. We have a verbal promise to meet again before long.
- A. Matsubara (age 19) |
| Sample 7 |
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If I became Cinderella I would be a very happy girl because most girls long to be a princess. If I were Cinderella I would dress up and would wear a lovely pink, frilly dress with a beautiful tiara and expensive jewelry. And I would reserve Tokyo Disneyland for the day and spend all day there with Disney characters. We would have a good time riding on a roller coaster and eating delicious food. But at midnight, I would part from everyone and sleep an eternal sleep. Of course, in the Cinderella castle!!
- M. Mizutani (age 20) |
| Categorical Index |
Chronological Index |
Subject Index |
Title Index |