Cinderella

Shen Jiale (Settla)

Dr.Marquard

ENG1430 W10

Mar.17th

Word Count:#415

Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story

        Cinderella is a well-known story to us. In addition, there are a great number of films in the world, which is similar to Cinderella story. Personally, I think Cinderella story is a sad story in which a kind character oppressed and ill-treated by villains, transforming from low status to high status through help from a helper and eventually live happily ever after.

       “Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story” is a film based on the Cinderella story, but in some way they have different features. Liz was born in the slum in America, whose mother was on the drink, taking drugs and developed schizophrenia. At the age of 15, her mother died of AIDS and her father entered into the shelter. Consequently, she had to beg for money with wandering the corner of the city. The suffering of her life seemed endless. She gradually realized that only going to school can change her fate. She moved the headmaster through her sincere request and strived for the chance to go to school. Then she went to school while she worked for a part-time job. She learned 4-year courses in the high school only in two years.  She strived for scholarship because only full scholarship in the New York News can make her finish college life. At the end of film, she stepped into Harvard Business School.

      The film has some evidences which support that this film is a Cinderella story. First of all, it’s obvious to find the transition in the film. Liz lived in a poor and dirty environment while in the end, she was admitted into Harvard Business School. She transformed form low status to high status. Just like Cinderella. The second point is that Liz was a kind and sensible girl. She was virtuous which reflected in the scene that she looked after her mother when she was ill. What’s more, David and Peter was the helper in the movie. David is her headmaster, who helped her a lot. Not only he provided Liz an opportunity to go to school, but also he explained patiently to herald eventually help her go to Harvard Business School. As for Peter, he is the headmaster of Harvard Business School. In the debate of applying for offer, Liz talked about her family environment and learning experience, eventually moved him. It’s him that sent Liz to Harvard Business School.

Reference:

    Peter Levi, & Ronni Kern, (2003), Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story.[DVD]. The United States: Lifetime Television