Is it obvious that “Cinderella’s Secret Dream” is a story about four women, each in pain, and each trying to cope with this pain. However, the way in which each woman is referred to reflects the perceptions of the narrator herself. Regan, the narrator, often demonstrates her opinions and thoughts with her keen observations. But since she is narrating the story, one cannot trust the accuracy of her words. For example, she portrays Cleis in a beautiful light, often praising her beauty and attributing her behaviours as virtues. Meanwhile, she compares her own family members with the worst vices and attributes. Her hatred for her family could be a projection of the hatred she feels for herself. Throughout the story, she barely refers to herself, and when she does, she often does it in a dark light. I believe she uses her family as a means to outwardly express her own self-hatred instead of directly hating herself. Her low self-esteem is softly noted by the audience when it is revealed that it was her that used the worst description to portray herself. Interestingly, Regan compares herself to an owl multiple times, however, it is important to note that owls are predators. Similarly, Regan is a predator; she uses negative mental thoughts to “harm” her family and herself. In addition, Regan is similar to an owl because owls use the dark to prey. Likewise, the reason for Regan’s hatred is because she keeps her thoughts in the dark by not letting anyone know them. Thus, not letting anyone return feedback on the correctness of her thoughts. She is only able to prey on herself and her family because it is located in the dark (a place where no one knows; her mind).
Hi Katherine, interesting take on Regan’s perception. However, I didn’t think Regan necessarily hated herself, but she was just describing the reality of her situation, being an ugly woman living in a sexist world. In fact, I thought Cleis and Regan paralleled in that they were both trying to make the most out of their situation. Despite the abuse and poverty Cleis endured, she still tried to work in order to leave her toxic household, and despite Regan knowing she’s the ugly sister and won’t be chosen by the “prince” at the party, she’s still willing to have a good time. Additionally, I think Regan’s mother was the one who hated herself because she displayed internalized misogyny, as depicted by the abuse of her step daughter and ignoring her assault in order to marry off her other daughter. I think the author wanted to show that sexism against women isn’t limited just men, but it can also be women who perpetuate the patriarchy too.
Yeah, I also think that the comparison alludes to Regan’s perceptiveness. Furthermore, I think it’s specifically Regan’s ability to see and perceive what cannot be seen by others that evoke the eyes of the owl and their ability to see in the dark. Narratively, this allows Regan to recount this story to the readers with details that are usually unobtainable by the first person narrator. Therefore, I have interpreted Regan to be in alliance with Portela in the sense that the themes of the story are what Regan is able to see underneath the narrative. I am not sure if this makes Regan’s perceptiveness predatory or empowering, perhaps it is both.