Student Question
What key lesson or moral does the reader learn from Cinder by Marissa Meyer?
Quick answer:
The key lesson in Marissa Meyer's Cinder is the importance of being true to oneself and accepting one's destiny. Cinder, despite being a cyborg, exhibits human emotions and strives to do good. Her journey teaches that destiny is inescapable, as she eventually learns she is Princess Selene. Cinder's ethical behavior, such as helping others and rejecting Prince Kai's offer for his benefit, reinforces the theme of staying true to one's values.
The novel Cinder has numerous overlapping themes. Each reader can decide if the author’s primary purpose is to communicate a moral. Cinder, although a cyborg, has the emotions of a human being and she tries to do good in the world. She only learns late in the novel that she is actually a princess.
Two ideas related to this revelation are that the impossibility of escaping one’s destiny and the importance of being true to oneself. Cinder, before learning she is Selene, is forced to become a test subject in the search for a cure for the plague. Even though she had no choice in this matter, she wants to help Peony. While she is attracted to Prince Kai, she rejects his offer so that he will be spared the company of a cyborg. Her behavior is totally ethical, and it seems her destiny was to learn she is actually the princess.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.