"Seeing Cinderella" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

In "Seeing Cinderella" by Jenny Lundquist, Calliope Meadow is the protagonist and the main character of the story. She is a seventh-grade girl who is struggling with her self-esteem and confidence due to her appearance and the bullying she faces at school. Parker Bell, on the other hand, is the antagonist and the primary source of Calliope's bullying.

Character Descriptions

Calliope Meadow: Calliope is a 12-year-old girl with glasses and frizzy hair. She is described as intelligent, kind-hearted, and imaginative. She loves to read and often escapes into fantasy books to avoid the reality of her difficult school life.

Parker Bell: Parker is a popular and mean-spirited girl in Calliope's school. She is described as having perfect looks and enjoys belittling and tormenting Calliope. Parker is known for her shallow personality and her ability to manipulate others.

Robyn: Robyn is Calliope's best friend and a source of support throughout the story. She is portrayed as a loyal and caring friend who stands up for Calliope when she can.

Mrs. Rucker: Mrs. Rucker is Calliope's therapist, who helps her navigate her feelings of low self-esteem and insecurity. She plays an important role in Calliope's character development and growth throughout the story.

Mom and Dad: Calliope's parents are supportive and loving. They try their best to help Calliope overcome her challenges and provide a safe and nurturing environment for her.

Mr. Ebberson: Mr. Ebberson is Calliope's math teacher. He is portrayed as a strict and unsympathetic teacher who often overlooks the bullying happening in his class.

Mrs. Mercer: Mrs. Mercer is the school counselor who tries to address the bullying issue. She plays a minor role in the story, but her attempts to help Calliope are appreciated.

Mrs. Davenport: Mrs. Davenport is the school nurse who assists Calliope when she has a panic attack. She is compassionate and understanding.

Annie: Annie is Calliope's neighbor, who becomes a friend and confidante. She provides Calliope with a safe space to be herself and encourages her to embrace her uniqueness.

Character Traits

Calliope Meadow: Calliope is intelligent, imaginative, kind-hearted, and resilient. She is also insecure, lacking self-esteem, and struggles with her appearance. As the story progresses, Calliope's determination and bravery shine through as she learns to embrace herself and stand up against bullying.

Parker Bell: Parker is manipulative, cruel, and shallow. She thrives on her popularity and enjoys making others feel inferior. Parker lacks empathy and uses her power to torment Calliope.

Robyn: Robyn is supportive, loyal, and caring. She is always there for Calliope and stands up for her whenever possible. Robyn is a true friend who helps Calliope see her own worth.

Mrs. Rucker: Mrs. Rucker is understanding, patient, and compassionate. She helps Calliope work through her emotional struggles and provides guidance for building self-confidence.

Mom and Dad: Calliope's parents are loving, supportive, and protective. They try their best to create a safe and nurturing environment for Calliope and encourage her to believe in herself.

Mr. Ebberson: Mr. Ebberson is strict, unsympathetic, and oblivious to the bullying happening in his class. He lacks empathy and fails to address the issue effectively.

Mrs. Mercer: Mrs. Mercer is caring and concerned about the well-being of the students. However, her role in the story is relatively minor.

Mrs. Davenport: Mrs. Davenport is understanding and compassionate. She provides comfort and assistance to Calliope when she experiences a panic attack.

Annie: Annie is kind-hearted, accepting, and supportive. She becomes a friend to Calliope and helps her embrace her uniqueness.

Character Background

Calliope Meadow: Calliope comes from a loving and supportive family. She has always struggled with her appearance, which has led to low self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence. She has been a victim of bullying from Parker Bell, which has made her school life challenging and stressful.

Parker Bell: Parker is a popular and beautiful girl who uses her power to belittle and torment Calliope. It is suggested that Parker's behavior stems from her own insecurities and desire to maintain her popularity.

Robyn: Robyn has been Calliope's best friend since early childhood. She is a constant source of support and encouragement for Calliope, helping her navigate the challenges of bullying.

Mrs. Rucker: Mrs. Rucker is a therapist who specializes in helping children and adolescents. Calliope is referred to her to work through her emotional struggles and build self-confidence.

Mom and Dad: Calliope's parents are loving and supportive. They are aware of the bullying she faces and do their best to provide a safe and nurturing environment for her to thrive.

Mr. Ebberson: Mr. Ebberson is Calliope's math teacher. He is portrayed as unsympathetic and unaware of the bullying happening in his class. This lack of attention exacerbates Calliope's difficulties.

Mrs. Mercer: Mrs. Mercer is the school counselor who tries to address the bullying issue. Although her efforts are appreciated, she is not able to fully resolve the problem.

Mrs. Davenport: Mrs. Davenport is the school nurse who provides comfort and assistance to Calliope during a panic attack.

Annie: Annie is a neighbor who becomes a friend and confidante to Calliope. She provides a safe and accepting space for Calliope to be herself.

Character Arcs

Calliope Meadow: Calliope's character arc revolves around her journey to self-acceptance and standing up against bullying. Initially, she is insecure and lacks confidence. However, as the story progresses, she gains strength and learns to embrace her uniqueness. Calliope discovers her own worth and finds the courage to confront Parker Bell, ultimately finding her voice and empowering herself.

Parker Bell: Parker's character arc is less pronounced compared to Calliope's. While she remains a bully throughout the story, there are hints of vulnerability beneath her tough exterior. However, she does not undergo a significant transformation or redemption.

Relationships

Calliope's relationships with the various characters in the story play a crucial role in her character development and the overall narrative.

Robyn: Robyn is Calliope's best friend, and their friendship provides a safe space for Calliope to be herself. Robyn's unwavering support and encouragement empower Calliope to challenge the bullying she faces.

Mrs. Rucker: Mrs. Rucker's role as Calliope's therapist helps Calliope work through her emotional struggles and build self-confidence. Their relationship is one of trust and guidance.

Mom and Dad: Calliope's parents are a source of unconditional love and support. Their relationship with Calliope creates a nurturing environment for her to grow and develop.

Mr. Ebberson: Mr. Ebberson's role as Calliope's math teacher highlights the lack of awareness and empathy towards the bullying happening in his class. His relationship with Calliope is strained due to his indifference.

Mrs. Mercer: Mrs. Mercer, the school counselor, tries to address the bullying issue but is unable to fully resolve it. Her relationship with Calliope is characterized by her concern for Calliope's well-being.

Mrs. Davenport: Mrs. Davenport's relationship with Calliope is brief but impactful. She provides comfort and assistance to Calliope during a panic attack, showing compassion and understanding.

Annie: Annie becomes a friend and confidante to Calliope. Their relationship is built on acceptance and support, creating a safe space for Calliope to embrace her uniqueness.

In conclusion, "Seeing Cinderella" by Jenny Lundquist explores the journey of Calliope Meadow as she navigates bullying, self-acceptance, and empowerment. The relationships she forms with the other characters, such as Robyn, Mrs. Rucker, and her parents, play a vital role in her character development and growth. Through her experiences, Calliope learns to embrace her uniqueness and stand up against bullying, ultimately finding her voice and inner strength.