After listening to me read aloud Moss Gown (retold by William Hooks), a different Cinderella from most you read, we did the following analysis.
Cinderella Character – Candace/Moss Gown
Physical Traits:
youngest daughter, red hair, beautiful
Personality Traits:
loves her father, kind, doesn’t judge, caring esp. towards father, gentle, hardworking
Other Significant Characters
father, sisters Retha & Grenadine, Grise Grise woman/witch woman w/ green eyes, Young Master, First Cook
Setting
long ago in the Old South, plantation, tidewater of South Carolina
Initial Situation
father asks daughters who loves him most, will give land to that daughter, Moss Gown says she “loves him as much as meat loves salt,” she is banished & sisters get the land, after leaving Moss Gown sleeps in moss bed and a witch woman gives her a moss gown which she wears, during day gown is rags, gets work in another fancy house
Special Event – 3 frolics/balls
Main character can’t go — why?
has no dress to wear
Main character gets to go to event — how?
special chant calls Grise Grise woman who helps with gown
Event and what happens there
Moss Gown meets Young Master and he falls in love with her
Main character leaves event suddenly — why?
has to leave before the morning star shines or gown will be moss & rags again
Loses something –what?
does not lose anything (someone says a girl in rags left)
Rest of family returns from event(s) — what is that like?
servants discuss the lovely girl at the ball
Identity Test
Young Master sees Moss Gown and watches gown change & still loves her
With father, Moss Gown serves saltless food and says as much as meat loves salt – gives him salt & he recognizes her & is sorry for his treatment of her
Resolution
marriage of Candace/Moss Gown & Young Master, daughters spent all their money, Candace reunited with her father