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The Greek Story of Cinderella Introduction The tale of Cinderella would be a great story through which the Ancient Greek culture

Boak

The Greek Story of Cinderella

Introduction

The tale of Cinderella would be a great story through which the Ancient Greek culture could be portrayed.
We are going to create a version of the Cinderella story that might have been actually written by the Ancient Greeks. Your job is to gather information on the Ancient Greek culture and write a Cinderella story that could have been told in Ancient Greece. Using the Internet resources provided, you will construct a children's book complete with pictures that are specific to the Ancient Greek culture. Be creative and have fun as you create this tale!

The Process and Resources

First, let's examine the similarities and differences between various versions of the Cinderella story using the Internet. Below are links on the Internet which lead to different Cinderella. Notice how the stories have both similarities and differences. Because these are real Web pages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Before you begin to work, read one or all of these stories to get ideas for your story. Remember your story must contain information about Greek life and Greek gods and goddesses. Link to the sites below to see how different cultures tell the tale of Cinderella. As you enjoy reading these stories, pay special attention to the following details...

(1) the setting. time, description of characters
(2) Cinderella's role (her responsibilities and chores)
(3) who the main characters are and how they are described
(4) how Cinderella is treated by the other main characters
(5) how the story ends

Background Links:

The Italian Version
The Russian Version
The Vietnamese Version

Getting On With the Task

1. You need to find information in order to have a complete picture of what life in Ancient Greece was like. Think about how you can incorporate this information into your own version of the Cinderella story. Use pieces of information that you gathered to show the reader that you have really researched Ancient Greek life. It is essential that the details of your story accurately portray things as they were in Ancient Greece.

You will need to look at how society is set up. What is the structure of the government and who is the leader? What are the different groups that the leader has power over and what are their jobs? How are the groups treated differently by other people in the society? Examine these relations.

Relate your findings to the Cinderella story. Who would be the prince figure? What social class would Cinderella be in? How would the differences in social class affect Cinderella and her Prince? How would Cinderella be treated by members of other social classes? Would it be appropriate for Cinderella to meet the Prince at a social function? Think about these questions and others that might relate to the story.

How would Cinderella live? Think about the type of house Cinderella would live in, how she would be dressed, what she would eat. What is her role as a woman and as a child? What types of household jobs would she be assigned? What would her relationship be to her father, mother, and sisters.

What gods, goddesses, heroes, or even monsters could come to her aid? What do they look like? What is their symbol? Why would they help a mortal?

Links:

http://www.richmond.edu/~ed344/webunits/greecerome/Greecegovt1.html (Greek Government)

http://www.historyforkids.org/ (Search for Information about Early Greece)

http://www.firstnethou.com/annam/costhist.html/ancient.html/index.html (Greek Society)

http://www.richmond.edu/~ed344/webunits/greecerome/Greeceroles1.html (Roles of Men, Women, and Children)

http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Greeklife.html#HOUSES (Greek Houses)

http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Greeklife.html#FOOD (Greek Food)

http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Greeklife.html#HAIR (Greek Hairstyles)

http://members.aol.com/Donnclass/Greeklife.html#WEDDINGS (Greek Weddings)

http://www.museum.upenn.edu/Greek_World/Daily_life/Women_life.html (Greek Daily Life for Women)

http://www.museum.upenn.edu/Greek_World/Religion_death/index.html (Religion)