52 pages • 1 hour read
Gail Carson LevineElla Enchanted
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Introduction
Teacher Introduction
Ella Enchanted
- Genre: Fiction; Fantasy; Middle Grade
- Originally Published: 1997
- Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 670L; Grades 3-7
- Structure/Length: Divided into 29 chapters and an epilogue; approximately 240 pages; approximately 5 hours and 43 minutes on audio
- Protagonist/Central Conflict: The protagonist, Ella, is cursed with the “gift” of obedience, which forces her to obey any command given to her. The central conflict revolves around Ella’s quest to find a fairy named Lucinda and get her to remove the curse, all while navigating a world filled with ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, and a prince she may or may not want to save.
- Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of coercion and lack of autonomy; mild fantasy violence; elements of emotional manipulation
Gail Carson Levine, Author
- Bio: Born in 1947; American author best known for her children’s and young adult books; celebrated for her strong female protagonists, humor, and imaginative reinterpretations of classic tales
- Other Works: The Two Princesses of Bamarre (2001); Ever (2008); Fairest (2016)
- Awards: Newbery Honor for Ella Enchanted (2010)
CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:
- Magic
- Romantic Love
- The Power of Family and Friendship
STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:
- Develop an understanding of the literary and sociological contexts related to the structure of classic fairy tales, which connects to Levine’s readaptation of the Cinderella story.
