A Brief Note On Running Away In Fairytale Land

Cinderella's options, or lack thereof

Having read one too many comments about why Cinderella didn't run away, I will explain.

Sometimes, she did.

Catskin ran away because her father was going to marry her off without her consent.

All-Kinds-Of-Fur, because her father was going to marry her himself, and had already fulfilled the impossible tasks that she had demanded to put him off.

Cap O'Rushes, because she had told her father that she loved him as meat loves salt, and he threw her out in rage.

Kari Woodengown, because her stepmother was starving her to the point of danger.

Maid Maleen, because after her father had locked her in a tower to punish her for wanting to marry a prince other than the one he wanted, he then lost a war¹, and she emerged to desolation.

So they all run away and they all got jobs as -- scullery maids.

This is not a good job. It is, in fact, a horrible job involving all the dirty work of the kitchen and often all the other worst jobs of the household. They often had to wait on the other servants, and they generally lasted in the post only long enough to get a character, with which they could get a better job.

The Cinderellas, of course, generally had to wait only for the ball. Sometimes other things, such as attending church. But they were often heckled and sometimes physically abused by the other servants before that day.

There weren't other choices. Some -- Vasilisa the Beautiful -- managed to find work sewing, but that turned on having someone who will take you in.

So, on the whole, there's a great deal to be said for being the maid of all work for your stepmother. At least you've secured a position.²

1. Yes, there are wars in fairytale land. See

2. Compare to the Mad Ogre’s Beautiful Daughter