Cinderella- Rags to Riches

he movie Pretty Women (1990) and the classical fairytale Cinderella share the motif of “rags to riches through magic and marriage.” While in the movie one does not see "magic" as the source of the main character Vivian's upward mobility, a case can be made for magic-like actions projecting Vivian from a lower class prostitute to the significant other (possibly future wife) of a modern day prince. Several times throughout the movie she ends up with the other main character, Edward, by chance or what I am referring to as a magical fate. Three major examples come to mind that drive this theory home. One, when Edward pulls up to the street in his Lotus Esprit to ask for "directions," he by chance speaks with Vivian. Kit, vivian's co-worker, gave the car to Vivian instead of taking it for herself. The second example of this magical fate occurs as Vivian is about to leave after the first night. As she is about to leave, Edward receives a phone call for a dinner party and he needs a date. At this time, he then hires Vivian for the rest of the week. This again shows how magical fate plays a role in the story. The third example is at the very end of the movie when Edward is unsure about his future with Vivian. She literally wants the "fairytale" and does not receive the answer she wants from Edward, so she decides to move to San Francisco. RIght before she is able to leave, Edward's chauffeur drives him to Vivian's apartment. As they arrive, pigeons flee in front of the limousine as if it were a scene from a fairytale. Furthermore, Vivian is on the top floor of her building and Edward has to climb the building to "rescue" her. The last example in the movie solidifies “rags to riches through magic and marriage.” Throughout the entire story both characters were bound to end up with each other by means of magical fate. In the real world outside of fairytales and movies, the ability for someone to reach success or riches with magic, marriage, charm, etc is possible but unlikely. The likelihood of this happening is low because so many people marry today without rising to instant wealth. However, there are a few notable examples of a "rags to riches" stories, or at least not so wealthy to wealthy. The most famous example that comes to mind is Kate Middleton, Prince William's wife. She was a website designer and photographer before she became the wife of a prince. To end this blog entry I will leave you with a quote from one of my favorite professors Don Lavin. He says, "You can make more money in a one day wedding, than you will make working for the rest of your life."