Strength cannot be universally defined. It is, in its truest form, an individualized characteristic. Some perceive strength as staying true to oneself and refusing to bend to the will of another, while others may see it as taking in stride that which walks along life's path with grace and dignity. The fight for women to be seen by society as strong, independent beings has existed since the beginning of time, but has recently begun to evolve. Both Danielle from Ever After and Vivian from Pretty Woman bring a modernist air to the classic Cinderella story. Vivian from Pretty Woman portrays a better, more modern Cinderella through her self-confidence, independence, and emotional strength than Danielle from Ever After. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The story of Cinderella truly comes to life in Ever After, centered on Danielle de Barbarac. Danielle's mother dies while she is a child, and her father dies shortly after introducing her stepmother and stepsisters, leaving her orphaned and in the care of her "evil" stepmother. As he grows up, he learns to accept his inferior position to that of his half-sisters, Marguerite and Jacqueline. Having lost her noble title, she resigns herself to being just a scullery maid. On more than one occasion she stands up to Prince Henry, heir to the French throne, by dressing in clothes of a higher class than hers, a crime punishable by beatings. When he finally asks her identity, she panics and gives him the name of her deceased mother, one from a noble family. Throughout their romantic journey together, she hides her true identity in fear of being rejected for her social standing. During a grand ball in the prince's royal gardens, Danielle is forced by her stepmother to reveal her true identity. Prince Henry royally rejects her in front of the entire kingdom, resulting in a deplorable display of royal power. Eventually, Prince Henry comes to his senses and rushes to save his maiden only to find that she has already been saved. Through heartbreaking apologies, the two find their “happily ever after,” despite the unfortunate journey they took to find it. Pretty Woman's Vivian Ward offers a raw portrayal of the modern Cinderella. In true rags to riches style, Vivian, a prostitute, meets her match with the wealthy Edward Lewis. In a twist of fate, the two end up spending a week together in Lewis' hotel suite. Over the course of the week, Vivian explores the luxurious world in which Edward lives. She's nowhere near as refined or composed as the other people in Edward's life, but there's something to be said for her fortitude in trying to get used to their ways. Learn to be a sophisticated and modern woman while remaining true to yourself. After all is said and done, Vivian returns to her Hollywood motel to pursue her next endeavor in life, while Edward watches her leave. Unable to bear to see her go, Edward is forced to chase her and “save” her from the life she was leading. In their own way, Edward and Vivian find their happily ever after together, accepting each other for who they truly are. True acceptance is found at the end of each story, but the paths taken are significantly different between the two. Madonna Kolbenschlag, a feminist critic of fairy tales, writes, "She [Cinderella] wants to be 'chosen' for herself in her natural state, rather than as a splendid apparition created by magic" (Kolbenschlag 537). Disney's characterization has strayed from this mark. Eventually, Prince Charming found out who she was, but she didn't tell himnever directly, suggesting a sort of shame. Vivian never hides who she is. When she first meets Edward, she presents herself as she truly lives without trying to create a new image to impress him. Vivian remains steadfast in her personality while still experiencing Edward's lifestyle. He gets used to his lifestyle, but after all he is able to return to his own. Danielle introduces herself to Prince Henry as his mother, who came from a noble family. It is only at the end of Ever After that Danielle reveals her true identity. He finds himself at the Prince's feet, with the sensation of truly belonging to the lowest rung of the social caste. Danielle and Disney's Cinderella share the same guilt for their past, while Vivian accepts herself for who she truly is. The clear difference in strength here lies in the methods of self-achievement between the two women. While Vivian is forthright in sharing her identity, Danielle tricks Prince Henry into believing in a glamorized ruse about who she might have been without her father's death. Throughout women's history, independence is one of the central factors in how strength is perceived. While Danielle exudes a strong sense of independence by saving herself from her problems, Vivian portrays independence with a stronger presence. In Pretty Woman, Edward and Vivian have an argument in which Vivian "has never felt cheaper" (Pretty Woman). Vivian packed her bags and rushed for the door, purposely leaving all of Edward's money behind. This demonstrated his keen awareness that he was worth more than his pay. He also proved to Edward that he did not need his money to live. If it meant being treated badly, her money meant nothing to her. Her behavior showed him that her actions were more derogatory than being a prostitute itself. Jane Yolen, a children's book author, describes this stark difference between Danielle and Vivian with: “[Cinderella] is a sorry excuse for a heroine, pitiful and useless. ” (Yolen 544). Danielle could have asserted her independence in stronger ways than she did. Despite her valiant efforts, her attempts at independence ended up being ruined by her poor upbringing. Danielle saves herself from the clutches of the evil Monsieur Le Pieu and triumphantly bursts into her castle only to find Prince Henry, come to save her. He mockingly asks, "Have you come to save me?" (Forever). her knees by her own will, and her independence collapses into chaos, along with her emotions are some of the greatest traits of weakness that can be seen in Disney's “Cinderella.” hopes, rather than being realistic. Vivian's strong characterization comes into play once again in the scene where she kisses Edward on the mouth. While Kit, her roommate, warns against kissing on the mouth due to emotional attachment, this is one of Vivian's strongest moments. While Vivian is making herself vulnerable to Edward, she is also strengthening herself by allowing him in. She's essentially taking control, giving Edward the power to break her, but also being given the power to break Edward. Unlike Vivian, Danielle never finds this opportunity. His emotions generally depend on his surroundings. In one of the final scenes, Danielle gets angry at her stepmother for never loving her as a child. Danielle cries out in anguish, “You're the only mother I've ever known. Was there ever a moment, even in its smallest degree, when you loved me?” (Forever). Bruno Bettelheim, an expert on sibling rivalry, writes: “The child fears… being thought little of by his parents, or.