Children are met with fairytales from an early age. First through stories their parents tell them and read to them, later in a formal education setting. Although today fairy tales are most commonly read to and by children, in the beginning they were meant for adults. In recent times, there is a growing amount of discussion on what literature materials are appropriate for children, fairy tales especially. Today, there is equality between genders, so the question of how the fairy tales written hundred of years ago, where the female characters are by default passive and dependent, affect children, with focus on girls. The story of Cinderella is one of the most known and adored ones. The goal of this thesis is to establish the features of folk and artistic fairy tale through historical review and analyse the depiction of female characters in fairy tales based on Cinderella. The analysis is based on the versions of the fairy tale by Charles Perrault, Grimm brothers, as well as the novel Ella Enchanted, a modern interpretation of Cinderella, written by Gail Carson Levine. The analysis shows that Perrault builds female characters without personality and agency, the character of Cinderella especially. In the version by Grimm brothers Cinderella shows more independence and exists the role of spectator. Although she is, much like in Perrault's Cinderella, saved from a life of servitude as a maid by being married by a prince, she shows certain personality traits Perrault's counterpart lacks. At last, analysing the novel Ella Enchanted, and especially the protagonist - Ella, we can observe that despite the curse of absolute obedience, she seeks ways of gaining her desired independence. The analysis this thesis is based on shows that we should not deprive children of folk and art fairy tales, in spite of the damaging stereotypes and viewpoints contained within them. These stories have undeniable value, but a discussion with the children on the read stories is essential, as well as introducing stories where those stereotypes are diminished or subverted.