Board Thread:Speculation House/@comment-226878-20140831072732

In the Volume 2 Opening, the rivalries between Ruby/Cinder, Weiss/Emerald, Blake/Roman, and Yang/Mercury are emphasized at the end.

I wonder what correlation exists between RRH/Cinderella, Snow White/Aladdin, Beauty/Lampwick, and Goldilocks/Mercury.

Actually, Snow White and Aladdin have some correlations: that being opposites. While Snow White was raised in a castle until adolescence by her father and stepmother, Aladdin was a street orphan (in some cases) who stole to avoid starving. Snow had no friends due to the isolating nature of her upbringing, but Aladdin made friends with fellow orphan thieves (namely Abu). When Snow was targeted for elimination due to her stepmother's envy, Aladdin meanwhile incurred the wrath of the sultan's scheming vizier. While Snow and lived comfortably with the dwarves, Aladdin found himself in a cave where he discovered the magic lamp/ring and the genie within. Unlike Aladdin, Snow had no magical help, no three wishes to help her and protect her from the deadly tactics of her stepmother. A common thread (mostly) for both, however, is the happily ever after wherein each overcomes their harasser, moves from squalor to paradise, and marries the person of their dreams.

Of course, if anyone has something in common with Snow, it's Cinder. Despite the opposition of their names, both have had similar experiences. Both grew up on large estates, lost their mothers at a young age, watched their fathers remarry and then die, and were then subjected to the horrid whims of their stepmothers. Once again, however, there is a divide as, unlike Snow, Cinder was helped to realize her fantasy of living as a royal. Her helper being her fairy "godmother".

Red and Gold would both have more in common with Lampwick as their parents are never mentioned so we cannot conclude their fate either way. All three are rather irresponsible, both girls wandering recklessly through the woods and being involved with dangerous wild animals. Lamp meanwhile ditches school and home outright, heading for a land of total sloth (laziness and rampant mischief). All suffer some consequences (Red is eaten, Goldilocks is frightened back out into the woods, and Lamp is sold as a slave). Lampwick's direct juxtaposition against Beauty is that while he ran away from responsibility, Beauty took responsibility for her father's debts and sacrificed her freedom to save his life. While Lamp's foolishness turned him literally into an ass (and dies), Beauty's love transformed the Beast into a man (whom she would marry). Sloth versus Selflessness.

It's definitely harder to identify the important aspects that separate Red and Cinder and Gold and Mercury (aside from the latters' names). Let me see, Red Riding Hood's antagonist is a wolf, a stranger (although the Lumberjack is also a stranger) while Cinderella's are people who are supposed to be family. While Red is shown to have an inquisitive nature ("Oh, grandma, what big eyes you have."), Cinder is quiet to avoid bringing further trouble on herself. I can't really think of anything else... of course, I am getting a little tired.

Okay, so lastly, we've got Goldilocks who f'd up the three bears stuff. She takes her time deciding what parts of the bears' house she likes. Contrarily, Mercury is known for his speedy and darting nature akin to a hummingbird. While Goldilocks obviously fears death, Mercury was a shepherd of the dead. Once again, I've got... nothing else. 