CINDERELLA AND HER DAUGHTERS. THE GERMAN TRIVIAL LOVE NOVEL BY HEDWIGE COURTHS-MAHLER

This article explores and illuminates the so-called Cinderella’s motif in the trivial love novels of the popular German writer Hedwige Courths-Mahler (1867–1950). In Courths-Mahler’s novels, the identity of the main characters is structured according to the range of expectations of the reading audience, any conflicts at the internal (moral) and/or external (socio-political) level are avoided. Starting from the assumption that in trivial love novels, the narrative structure is strictly defined, or schematized according to a specific pattern, this study shows how the world of the main characters is being transformed. The relationship of female characters towards particular social phenomena indicates a congruence with schematized genre and cultural conventions, and the main characters – Cinderellas are portrayed as the embodiment of archetypal femininity. Since they embody traditional values, heroines are ultimately rewarded with love and wealth in a world that can be defined as some form of conservative utopia. Despite all her endeavours to assume a completely apolitical stance as a romance writer, of the so called „Fairy tales for adults“, Hedwig Courths-Mahler undoubtedly negatively influenced the emancipatory aspirations of women through her submissive and passive heroines, and the-reby contributed to the preservation of patriarchy.