Cinderella by Richard Harding Davis
The narrative unfolds at the Hotel Salisbury, where the staff prepares for their annual ball and concert, an event that promises to be a grand affair. The employees, from waiters to chambermaids, come together in a rare moment of camaraderie, breaking down social barriers. Among the attendees are Miss Celestine Terrell, a celebrated actress, and her husband, Grahame West, who are invited to perform at the event due to their generosity towards the staff. Celestine, initially hesitant to sing outside of a theater, agrees to perform, leading to excitement among the hotel staff. The ball attracts various guests, including notable performers, but the focus remains on the employees and their unique celebration. The atmosphere is lively, with dancing and camaraderie, yet the invited guests remain somewhat detached from the true spirit of the event. As the evening progresses, attention shifts to a particular chambermaid, Annie Crehan, who captivates onlookers with her graceful dancing. Her talent is recognized by the professional guests, who express admiration and speculate on her potential as a performer. This admiration contrasts sharply with her current life, where she works long hours for minimal pay, highlighting the disparity between her talent and her circumstances. Two of the guests, Van Bibber and Travers, become intrigued by Annie and discuss the possibility of helping her transition to a professional dancing career. They envision a future where she could achieve fame and success, contrasting sharply with her current life of servitude. Their plan involves offering her financial support for lessons and opportunities to perform, believing that she deserves a chance to shine. However, their intentions are complicated by the revelation that Annie is engaged to the elevator operator, who is deeply protective of her. He questions the motives of Van Bibber and Travers, expressing concern that their plans could disrupt the happiness they currently share. He argues that Annie is content with her life and that pursuing a career in dance could lead to unforeseen complications in their relationship. The elevator operator's passionate defense of their relationship forces Van Bibber and Travers to reconsider their approach. They grapple with the ethical implications of their desire to help Annie, realizing that their well-meaning intentions might not align with her true desires or happiness. The narrative culminates in a moment of introspection, as they weigh the value of ambition against the comfort of a stable, loving relationship. Ultimately, the story explores themes of class disparity, the pursuit of dreams, and the complexities of human relationships. It raises questions about the nature of success and the sacrifices one must make to achieve it, while also highlighting the importance of personal connections and the contentment found in simple, everyday life. The characters' interactions reveal the tension between aspiration and reality, leaving readers to ponder the true meaning of happiness and fulfillment.
By Richard Harding Davis · First published 1900 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Romance · 7,823 words
First lines
The servants of the Hotel Salisbury, which is so called because it is situated on Broadway and conducted on the American plan by a man named Riggs, had agreed upon a date for their annual ball and volunteer concert, and had announced that it would eclipse every other annual ball in the history of the hotel. As the Hotel Salisbury had been only two years in existence, this was not an idle boast, and it had the effect of inducing many people to buy the tickets, which sold at a dollar apiece, and were good for "one gent and a lady," and entitled the bearer to a hat-check without extra charge.
What this Textopian page supports
Cinderella is listed on Textopian as a short story by Richard Harding Davis, dated 1900 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Richard Harding Davis
- Date: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Romance, Comedy, Drama
- Length: 7,823 words
- Structure: 1 section, 126 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Cinderella by Richard Harding Davis
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores complex themes of class, ambition, and the human condition through character interactions and social commentary.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques social hierarchies and the lives of hotel employees, highlighting the contrast between their aspirations and realities.
- Romance — The subplot involving the chambermaid and her relationship adds a romantic element to the narrative.
- Comedy — The humorous situations and character interactions provide comedic relief throughout the story.
Tags
Fairy Tale · Romance · Fantasy · Adventure · Magic · Love Story · Transformation · Social Class · Poverty · Wealth · Marriage · Family