The pointlessness of intervention is referred to on multiple occasions by Regan, the narrator. Despite knowing about her mother’s scheme to trick Cleis’ father, she “[doesn’t] say anything” due to her belief that she wouldn’t be listened to (pg. 1). Regan feels skeptical about the multimillionaire wanting to marry a small-town girl, but once again, “[doesn’t] say anything” because all the single girls are already excited over the announcement (pg. 2-3). Notably, when Cleis tells her stepmother that the multimillionaire is “not the gentleman he pretends to be,” Regan does not back up her statement (pg. 5). Rather, she mentions the stepmother’s stubborn certainty in believing that “the girl had brought it on herself,” implying that she would be impossible to convince otherwise (pg. 5). The pointlessness Regan refers to is indicative of a feeling that she is unable to change outcomes and opinions; rather, the opinions of the townspeople appear to Regan to be set in stone. The current social dynamics in the town (i.e., abuse, gendered violence) give the impression that they cannot be easily changed with words and that it is perhaps hopeless for someone like her to try to change them. To Regan, it takes a special kind of person (such as Cleis) to overcome these dynamics. This sort of exceptionalism serves to provide a glimmer of hope yet also causes Regan to put herself down. At the end of the story, Regan is still “observing life with [her] owl eyes,” implying that she has chosen to continue her lack of intervention (pg. 5).

“Cinderella’s Secret Dream” by Ena Lucia Portela is based on the famous fairy tale, “Cinderella.” There are many twists and differences from the original fairy tale. Where the original fairy tale is set in the medieval period, this version is set in more modern times (maybe the 1990’s). Cleis (Cinderella) does not want to marry that multimillionaire (Prince Charming) due to him being more abusive. Cleis also dreams of being an actress in a soap opera instead. As a result of that and her taking one of her step-sisters’, Lotta’s shoes, Lotta gets the prince. Cleis’ step-sister, Lotta, is murdered by the multimillionaire. The step-mother then goes insane after the loss of her daughter. The prince dies in a helicopter crash after getting away with murder, thanks to his many lawyers. The overall story is more shocking than the original.

How do the twists affect the story? Everyone and their moms have already heard some form of the classic fairy tale many times before, so Portela had to try and make this version more original. Most of these twists don’t happen until the end of the story, when the multimillionaire hosts the party. With these twists, Portela makes the story more engaging and provocative. These changes to the story makes Cleis seem more independent and relatable than Cinderella. They also make the ending quite bittersweet. Cleis gets her dream job, but Lotta and the prince die, while the step-mother is in an insane asylum.

In “Cinderella’s Secret Dream”, the intrusive narrator provides a unique perspective that casts both Cleis, as Cinderella, and the billionaire, as the prince, in a new light. As the narrator, Regan portrays Cleis positively, highlighting her beauty and tenacity, while constantly criticizing her mother, her sister Lotta, and even herself. Cleis, whose character is traditionally submissive⁠—mostly accepting how she is treated and only passively dreaming of a better future⁠—now actively works towards her “one-way train ticket” (2) to a new life. Likewise, the millionaire is no Prince Charming; rather, he assaults Cleis and murders Lotta⁠.

In this version of the story, the stepmother’s cruelty becomes part of the backstory and the role of the antagonist is shifted to the millionaire, yet unlike in typical fairy tales, he faces virtually no consequences. Cleis, at least, stands up for herself and is able to escape the town and begin a career elsewhere, but little attention is paid to Lotta’s suffering. Only two paragraphs are dedicated to explaining her death, which, on a whole, is brushed aside casually. In contrast to Cleis’s success, Lotta’s murder is never truly avenged (though the millionaire later dies in a helicopter accident, this is an unrelated incident and does not bring a sense of justice being served). Even more unnerving is Regan’s description of her own sister’s death, with which she holds the same attitude that she has towards her sister’s murderer.

Despite Cleis’s unconventional happy ending subverting genre expectations, the narrative ultimately stays within the confines of a society that has normalized the existence of femicides and gender-based violence. The exploration of these topics within a typically lighter genre, and the way they are integrated so as to unsettle readers without taking away from the focus of the Cinderella plot, leaves a stronger impact on the audience.

Cinderella’s Secret Dream by Ena Lucia Portela is a short story that constructs very interesting characters. Especially, the protagonist Cleis. The author gave powerful attributes to this character. Cleis is a young smart girl who does not allow men to abuse her. She is not afraid of denying men and she knows what she wants. I found her reaction very impressive when the wealthy man wanted to abuse her and she defended herself. This part of the story portrayed how strong the female character is. Moreover, Cleis’ life is described as quite complicated full of inequality and abuse. Yet, the character fulfils her dream of becoming a radio actress despite the obstacles. This part framed women as capable of being successful if they fight for their dreams. I liked very much how the author, through the creation of Cleis, portrayed a powerful image, emphasizing that no matter what, women are capable of anything.

On the other hand, I found the narrator quite intriguing. It is clear that she is a character witnessing the events of the story, and therefore, tells the story from an engaging perspective. Moreover. I also noticed various library devices, such as simile and metaphors. I quite enjoyed the way the author described and created a powerful context by the use of literary devices. 

Overall, I liked the story very much. I was not expecting such an ending, but I am satisfied with Portela bringing into life a strong female character who trusts in herself and carries power. Cleis represents an image of strength and self-determination; she demonstrates that women should defend themselves and seek their dream independently. Women do not need men to be successful in life.

The author uses the first-person narrator and witness, which at first is a bit confusing as you expect the point of view to be that of Cleis. Later she gives us a clue “Now Regan, she was really ugly: short, scrawny, and humpbacked, with beady eyes like an owl” (p. 1, line 19-20) and at the very end “As for me, Regan, I’m still here in our town, observing life with my owl eyes.”(p. 5, line 25).
Lucía describes Regan´s eyes as owl’s eyes, owls are associated with being observant, silent, and calm. And well the narrator turns out to be that owl’s point of view (Regan), the correlation to what the author is trying to portray (gender violence) to this character could be seen in the silence of the sister, how she casually brings up the femicide of her sister but quickly turns the attention away, and the lack of sorority between women (she knew that Cleis was assaulted but she didn’t bother to stand against the marriage of her sister).
The tone Regan employs to tell the story, especially the way she describes herself is indifferent, almost as if she meant nothing. One of the phrases that moved me the most was “After all, who’d listen to me?”(p. 1. line 6), she sees herself as less and unworthy, “As for me, I had no illusions about my chances seducing the tycoon.” (p. 3, line 12). That’s why I (and maybe most of us) as readers never expected the narrator to be Regan. Who would criticize herself in that way? Those unattainable beauty standards are not a measure of how much you are worth, but then again that’s what society has led us to believe.