In search of a new sense of identity

Shoes as the choice of the path
Shoes in fairy tales we understand as a symbol of implementation, "clearance" individual path. So Cinderella still change your shoes and crystal shoes and not on the illusion. Karen loses rustic red shoes, but did not initially recorded the issuance of new, only confirmed the old lady decides to buy the girl new shoes. New shoes – a sign of transition to a new status, holiday shoes are a sign of social activity. Modern symbolic value of "the red shoes" is also quite sexual, but sex has ceased to be a guarantee of fertility and the continuation, strengthening kind, becoming more of a regulator of social relationships. Obsession with red shoes girls from Anderson fairy tales for the modern person often means the pursuit of social success.

This choice of life first occurs in adolescence (age Karen and possibly Cinderella). E. Erickson it is shown how the phase opposition of identity and the dangers of mixing roles: a teenager finds themselves in this constant choice. In search of a new sense of identity teenager sets himself against the world and a lot that was previously loved and close: it's his way not to blend in to the body, not to remain only a part of something. So not having a unique own identity, he takes group, new, youth, alternative, rebellious. Because Cinderella disobeyed her stepmother and went incognito, in a strange appearance to the ball. Because Karen goes against their patron Saint, and chooses red shoes. One lucky, the other does not. By the way, there is Prague the legend of the Miller's daughter, who was very beautiful and had rejected all the suitors, but wanted to go to prom and dance there. The entire village and father got together her outfit and jewelry, but at the ball it was not a success – not to hide it was simple manners and of origin so that no one began to dance. She didn't come home, and hanged himself nearby. This is the ball and was the daughter of the Miller of her Red Shoes.
You could pay attention to special care in choosing shoes separate youth subcultures: "the shoes with semolina" the hipsters of the 1950s, heavy shoes, skinheads, tall shoes with buckles ready. But this subcultural trait is not universal.