Friday, January 19, 2007
Fairytales always started with "Once upon a time," and they always ended with "happily ever after." And in between there's struggle and tragedy, love and loss, heartbreak and triumph. But in the end, love conquers all. In the end, everyone is happy.
They made us believe it's a man who will, and must, save us...that women need to be rescued, as if we were all helpless, fragile maidens locked in towers and dungeons or lying asleep, poisoned.
Rapunzel had to let down her ridiculously long hair so the prince could climb up it and free her.
Cinderella needed a fairy godmother and glass slippers for Prince Charming to save her from a life of misery.
Snow White needed not just one but a bunch of little men--seven, to be exact--to protect her until the prince could stumble through the woods and discover said maiden, unconscious and waiting for him. A gift offering on ice.
To get princes, Snow White and her sister Rose Red had to be so good. They had to make sure that there were always roses in vases on tables. The copper kettle had to shine. The floor had to be immaculate. And the girls had to be gentle, loving, obedient.
Obedient.
Those stories teach that love is reserved for those who sacrifice themselves, rather like the beautiful ballerina from "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," who burns up with her guy at the end, symbolizing true love. One shouldn't have to die--physically or psychologically--for love. Love should be about strength, not weakness. Empowerement, not dependence.
I wanted to be magical and special, strong, tender, invincible. I wanted to be like all the daring heroines in fairy tales. Not the ones who were waiting to be rescued, but the ones rescuing, the one saving. Not the sleeping princess needing to be awakened, but the warrior woman like Belle, who'd rescue her father from the monster's dungeon, a brave woman who'd fight a powerful curse.
That's the me who has always been here, but maybe she was buried so deep inside that no one-not even me- knew how real she was.
She is real. And she wants more.
So much more. She wants the big adventure she's never had; she wants the victories; she wants to be the confident, daring hero, not the damsel in distress.
No more waiting like Rapunzel locked up in the ivory tower. No more Sleeping Beauty dozing in a high palace chamber. No more Snow White laid out on ice beneath glass.
All the magic, happy endings and good things can't just be at Disneyland.
words written on the fallen leaf
3:38 PM
