LET THE GAMES BEGIN!
I'm going to kick off this blogfest by sharing my favorite literary supporting character, err characters.
The Ugly Stepsisters
The story of Cinderella has been told many times in many ways, yet the setup for the story remains similar. A daughter of a rich, widowed gentleman gains a stepmother and stepsisters when her father remarries. Soon after the marriage, her father dies and she's left with her stepmother and stepsisters.
This is where it gets ugly. Ella, who was meanly nicknamed Cinder-Ella (because she was in charge of tending the fire, and while doing so, the cinders often popped out and burned her) is treated abominably by her two stepsisters.
I chose these spiteful, jealous, selfish young ladies because they are the antithesis of Cinderella's long-suffering, kind nature. By demonstrating how not to behave, they help teach the moral of the story: Beauty is a treasure, but graciousness is priceless. Without it, nothing is possible. With it, one can do anything.
The Ugly Stepsisters are truly ugly—inside AND out. By pitting them against Cinderella, she becomes a character the reader empathizes with. Contrast is a powerful tool. We can all make our stories "uglier" by creating morally corrupt supporting characters our readers will want to see punished. This can also influence our audience to champion our story's hero/heroine.
I applaud the Ugly Stepsisters for being unforgettable supporting characters! There's a bit of their ugliness in us all.
32 comments:
Ha! There's a confidence booster. *grin* Great pick for supporting characters. Very nice post!
I love the versions of the ugly stepsisters in EVER AFTER. One of them is way less ugly than the other in spirit.
ooooh....that's SOOOO good! I'm narrowed down to two choices, and will blog my decision in a little while.
Great supporting characters :) I swear I know people just like this. Heck, half of the people on reality tv are ugly step-sisters. Since when did selfishness become a positive character trait?
Fantastic choice--the Ugly Stepsisters are IT! Although I would've probably classified them as antagonists, their supporting role in getting the message across for the Cinderella story is a must-have. And... they're such great characters--they're not nice or sympathetic or anything (they're pretty loathsome), but their character is so cleverly drawn. Good job!
I didn't realize it was only supposed to be 250as words, oops! I'll be better next time! Good choice I love to hate them!
You know I never realized her name was Cinderella because of that. VEry enlightening and a great choice!
Great post, and I also never realized that was how Cinderella got her name! I always love (or love to hate) evil characters in stories, they add so much, and the stepsisters are no exception.
Thanks again for hosting this, I can't wait to read all the entries. :)
My kids love the Cinderella movies. One of the Ugly Step Sisters turned out to be good while the other was banished to be a toad.
Trisha, that is a common version that came about well after many first versions, one of which has both of the Ugly Stepsisters getting their eyes picked out by crows at Cinderella's wedding. Gruesome, huh?
Guille, I think the Evil Stepmother is the true antagonist. Without her, the stepsisters wouldn't have been who they are, or gotten away with it.
Stephen, that version is the more common one nowadays, but way back when, both were as guilty as sin. : )
The scariest are the ones who are beautiful on the outside. Love this pick, I bet it's an original one :-)
I don't know that I would have thought of the Ugly Stepsisters as great supporting characters, but you're so right. They really are the reason Cinderella is such a sympathetic heroine.
The Ugly Stepsisters are great supporting characters. I love how you point out how their bad, shows the moral of the story.
I never really saw them as bad people when I was a kid, just characters to laugh at. But the do work wonderfully well to highlight Cinderella's good traits.
Ha ha! They were the ultimate bad girls when I was growing up.
Uh-oh. I worry I may not have stayed within the 250 word limit. :( Oops. Sorry. Still love this. I love Cinderella - no so much the ugly step sisters, but they are so critical in helping to portray the beauty and kindness in Cinderella. (inside and out.) Love your choice!
Erin, weren't they? No one liked them, and we all knew someone who reminded us of them. Ha!
Interesting choice! I like it! They definitely make the story... and make everyone who ever hears it glad they don't have sisters like those!
I think I missed the 25 word limit with my post. oops. :)
PK, no biggie. Short and sweet is why I wanted the word count. No one will be disqualified if they go over, it's just preferred. I'm glad you liked my choice!
This is a great blog hop because it's really making me think about supporting characters (and how little I pay attention to them). I work so hard at building my MCs, everyone else are somewhat of an afterthought. Thanks for the reminder!
Go to the original fairy tale and you can see how the stepsisters really get it in the end. Gory delicious.
I do love an excellent antithesis!
Great choice there.
I love the portrayal of the step sisters in those cartoons. I know nasty people in real life that totally remind me of them. I always tell my sister when someone reminds me of one of those ugly step sisters. THen I feel bad, because they are people too. Then I dont, because they are just cartoons.
Fabulous. I love the original stepsisters. I love the Disney ones. I love Gregory Maguire's Tale of An Ugly Stepsister. Great pick!
Good choice, E.R. I haven't ever thought about the evil stepsisters in quite that way, but yes, they do provide a startling contrast to Cinderella.
Another fun blogfest. I'll tell you, cyberspace is full of them. Some of my fav supporting characters can be found in the Wheel of Time series. Of course, with 2200 characters, there's a lot of choose from. =D
You're right-- contrast is a FABULOUS tool! Perfect pics to illustrate that!
(And I meant "picks" like you picked the perfect one... not "pics" like you chose the perfect pictures. Although you did that, too. :))
I didn't know about this blogfest but I like the fact that you highlighted the ugly stepsisters. Even though Cinderella has been done to death, these two women have not really had their limelight save for a few stories.
This is a wonderful choice and an original one. I learned something new about this fairy tale from your post. I did not know that wa show Cinderella got her name. I love your choice.
Good choice. I once played an ugly sister at Infants's School and loved it!
Post a Comment