Ella Enchanted

Ella’s enchanted book, gifted by her fairy godmother Mandy, illustrates Ella’s connection to the world of fairies: “All the Eleanor line are Friends of the Fairies. You have fairy blood in you” (25). Ella is both cursed and blessed by magic. Magic is fickle; it can be both a blessing and an agent of chaos, depending on who is wielding it.

The enchanted book is also symbolic of Mandy’s love. Mandy tells Ella: “[W]hen you look at it, you can remember me and take comfort” (37). The book helps to keep Ella safe by providing maps and important information. It keeps her connected to Mandy, and gives Ella important developments about her friends and enemies through correspondence and diary entries which it magically produces.

Char and Ella’s union symbolizes the triumph of good—symbolized by Char and Ella, over evil—epitomized by Ella’s cruel stepfamily. The marriage is only able to transpire due to Ella’s brave sacrifice; she prioritizes the wellbeing of Char and the country of Kyrrian over her own happiness. This altruistic act lifts the curse which has afflicted Ella her whole life.

Ella needs to overcome significant obstacles to achieve her marriage.