* Envy of her Beauty: Cinderella's beauty is often contrasted with the stepsisters' plainness, making them feel inferior. Their jealousy manifests in cruel actions and constant comparisons.
* Competition for Attention: The stepsisters likely feel threatened by Cinderella's grace and charm, which attracts the attention of men, including the Prince. They fear being overshadowed and losing their own chances for a good marriage.
* Desire for Material Possessions: Cinderella's kindness and inherent goodness allows her to be favored by others, including the Fairy Godmother who provides her with beautiful clothes and a magical carriage. The stepsisters, likely more materialistic, covet these possessions and resent Cinderella for having them.
* Resentment for Favoritism: The stepmother often favors Cinderella over her own daughters, likely due to Cinderella's kind nature and hard work. This favoritism fuels the stepsisters' anger and bitterness.
* Projection of their own Flaws: The stepsisters' cruelty and jealousy may be a reflection of their own inner insecurities. They may be projecting their own shortcomings onto Cinderella, making her the target of their anger.
It's important to remember that the Ugly Stepsisters are fictional characters representing the darker aspects of human nature. Their hatred for Cinderella serves as a foil to her goodness and ultimately highlights the triumph of virtue.