The Most Creepiest Poem: Roald Dahl's 'Cinderella'

Introduction

Everyone has heard of Cinderella, the classic fairy tale we all know and love. However, younger readers might not be aware of Roald Dahl's unique and twisted take on the story. Cinderella, a parody of the traditional tale, is far from the soft and romantic version you might expect. This version, with its dark, gory, and unsettling narrative, stands out as one of the creepiest poems ever written. Let's explore the poem and its shocking twists.

The Traditional Cinderella vs. Roald Dahl's Revision

While the classic tale of Cinderella is often sweet and innocent, Roald Dahl's version gives us a much darker perspective. The parody begins with a disclaimer: "I guess you think you know this story. You don't. The real ones much more gory." This immediately sets the stage for a tale far from the sanitized versions we are used to.

Ugly Sisters to the Palace

The story opens as the ugly sisters attend the Palace Ball, but here we learn that they don't stay there long. While the sisters head to the Palace Ball, Cinderella remains locked in a "slimy cellar" to the delight of hungry rats. This scene of Cinderella's confinement and the cannibalistic rats adds a ghastly dimension to the story.

The Fairy Godmother's Wrath

Cinderella then turns to the fairy godmother for help. However, the fairy godmother is far from helpful and instead suggests an alternative solution involving a dress, coach, and diamond brooch. When Cinderella declares her intention to dance with the Prince, the fairy godmother, in a final and shocking act, rips the dress and one of Cinderella's heels. The resulting scene is not romantic or enchanting; it's a night of terror and despair for Cinderella.

Midnight and Chaos

As we know, midnight is the crucial moment when Cinderella's fairy godmother magic fades. In Dahl's version, Cinderella scurries away in her underwear, losing her slipper on the stairs. The Prince, still charmed, searches for her, only to be disturbed by a horde of people trying to find a suitable dowry. Instead, he finds the shoe that doesn't fit, leading to a series of gruesome experiences.

The Ugly Sisters and the Bloody Tragedy

The next day, the Prince visits townspeople to find the owner of the magical shoe. He initially dismisses the sisters, but they, in a twist of madness, substitute the shoe with their own. When the shoe is incorrectly placed, the sisters are decapitated, their heads rolling around, adding a chilling and violent scene to the tale. Cinderella overhears this chaos from her hiding spot and is horrified by it all.

The False Bride and the Grim Reality

When the Prince visits a false bride, she is beheaded, and then, in a final, tragic twist, the magic fairy appears to save Cinderella. However, Cinderella is more afraid of sequels than she is of marrying the Prince. She wishes for a decent man instead, eventually finding true happiness in a marriage with a simple jam maker. The ending is decidedly anti-climactic, leaving the reader with a sense of relief and hope.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Roald Dahl's "Cinderella" is a dark and unsettling take on the classic fairy tale. While it remains a parody and might seem over-the-top, it presents a terrifying and disturbing twist on the familiar story. It's a powerful reminder of the darker aspects of fairy tales and the potential horrors that lurk beneath the surface of seemingly sweet narratives.