Cinderella is Dead

Sophia Grimmins is the 16-year-old protagonist and first-person narrator of Cinderella Is Dead. Her name is significant because “Sophia” means wisdom, and “Grimmins” is an allusion to the Brothers Grimm, who collected, recorded, and edited folk and fairy tales including “Cinderella.” Sophia finds herself caught in the middle of her own fairy tale, where she must work with others to uncover the truth behind the deceased Cinderella and claim her own power in a world that oppresses girls and women.

Unlike almost everyone else around her, Sophia is unwilling to deny who she is. As a lesbian with a girlfriend, she cannot accept the rule that she has to marry a man, especially not an abusive one. Constance and Amina both recognize Sophia’s determination, which makes her a suitable candidate to end King Manford’s reign. However, Sophia can’t do it without accepting help and information from others like Constance and Amina.

Sophia’s persistence sometimes goes too far, such as with her former girlfriend, Erin, whom she returns to again and again despite being refused. Ultimately, Sophia has to leave Erin behind because she doesn’t want to be saved. The same thing happens with the angry guards and townspeople at the novel’s end, who won’t accept Constance’s changes and would prefer to be exiled.