Ella of Frell

Ella of Frell

1930
    Ella Enchanted
Photo Credit: Everett Collection

Character Analysis

(Avoiding Spoilers)

Grew up… under the burden of an unfortunate curse. Lucinda, a well-meaning but dimwitted fairy, gave Ella the “gift” of obedience at birth—meaning she has to obey any and every direct order. Her mother and their cook tried to protect her, but it’s proven difficult since Ella can be compelled to do anything, regardless of whether it’s dangerous or not.

Living… at a boarding school. Or at least, she was. Her mother died, and her father remarried, giving Ella two bratty stepsisters who found out they could give her orders and she had to obey. Now she’s run away to find Lucinda and get her to remove the curse.

Profession… completing all the tasks anyone tells her to do. As a well-off young lady, Ella should be spending her time at finishing school or finding a husband. Instead, she’s treking around in the forest or cleaning her step-sisters’ rooms.

Interests… freedom. When she’s not being ordered around, Ella has a gift for languages, and enjoyed going to the royal menangerie with Prince Char. By the way, she’s friends with the prince of the kingdom—they write letters to each other.

Relationship Status… in love with Prince Char. He loves her too. Sounds perfect, right? Not so much—sadly, Ella cannot marry him until she breaks her curse. Anyone could order her to betray him or even kill him, and she won’t put him in that danger.

Challenge… breaking the curse. The only person who can break it is Lucinda, the original caster. But, Lucinda doesn’t seem to understand why Ella wants the curse broken. Not to mention that everyone—especially Ella’s stepsisters—keeps ordering Ella around, further delaying her quest and putting her into danger.

Personality… klutzy but clever—what Ella lacks in grace she makes up in cunning. She is incredibly independent given that other people control her life. Ella speaks many languages, has a lawyer-like ability to deliberately misinterpret orders, and isn’t afraid to take her fate into her own hands. As she puts it, “Instead of making me docile, Lucinda's curse made a rebel of me. Or perhaps I was that way naturally.”

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