I thought rejecting the Princess trope was protecting my daughter. But after my mother died suddenly, I realized I had more in common with Elsa than I thought.
I really feel you in this feminine identity struggle. In some ways, I look at women who grew up with the restrictions your mother did with envy, because those restrictions can also be viewed in another way: as definitions, clear parameters by which to live a life and view the world. Similar to religion, they are limiting, yes, but that also provides some comfort in that you aren’t expected to reinvent the wheel, so to speak. There are so many possible ways to live one’s life today that it can feel overwhelming, at times, having to choose which path might be best for us and for our family, knowing that we are abandoning the paths not taken. We are all climbing Sylvia Plath’s *fig tree.
These days, I think it might be OK to admit that not everything of that generation was wrong and that there was some great wisdom there that we should be carrying forward to today.
I have always appreciated your honesty as a writer and it’s why I keep coming back to your work. Keep going, brave Princess Deenie!
I have a young daughter, too, so believe me, I have also rolled the princess issue around in my head. I like your observation about their grit, because you are absolutely right and I hadn’t noticed that before. I grew up watching all those movies and am none the worse for it, as far as I can tell.
My daughter, however, isn’t into the princesses. I wasn’t expecting that to disappoint me, but it actually does. She doesn’t think the princesses “cool”, rather, she thinks “boy things” are cool. I don’t push back on it, really, but I do wish she would show a healthy appreciation of a strong female protagonist one of these days!
This! Holding you through it all. Thank you. Frozen 2 will always hold my grief and reclamation of self after my mother’s passing. Inannas decent! The oldest and most ancient map we have and need. So much love to you.
I really feel you in this feminine identity struggle. In some ways, I look at women who grew up with the restrictions your mother did with envy, because those restrictions can also be viewed in another way: as definitions, clear parameters by which to live a life and view the world. Similar to religion, they are limiting, yes, but that also provides some comfort in that you aren’t expected to reinvent the wheel, so to speak. There are so many possible ways to live one’s life today that it can feel overwhelming, at times, having to choose which path might be best for us and for our family, knowing that we are abandoning the paths not taken. We are all climbing Sylvia Plath’s *fig tree.
These days, I think it might be OK to admit that not everything of that generation was wrong and that there was some great wisdom there that we should be carrying forward to today.
I have always appreciated your honesty as a writer and it’s why I keep coming back to your work. Keep going, brave Princess Deenie!
Wow, such an insightful take. I haven’t thought of it like this before. Thank you ❤️
I have a young daughter, too, so believe me, I have also rolled the princess issue around in my head. I like your observation about their grit, because you are absolutely right and I hadn’t noticed that before. I grew up watching all those movies and am none the worse for it, as far as I can tell.
My daughter, however, isn’t into the princesses. I wasn’t expecting that to disappoint me, but it actually does. She doesn’t think the princesses “cool”, rather, she thinks “boy things” are cool. I don’t push back on it, really, but I do wish she would show a healthy appreciation of a strong female protagonist one of these days!
Incredible!! Go, Deenie! Love you!!
Oh my gosh, I have no words. Your writing takes my breath away. I love you.
This! Holding you through it all. Thank you. Frozen 2 will always hold my grief and reclamation of self after my mother’s passing. Inannas decent! The oldest and most ancient map we have and need. So much love to you.
❤️❤️❤️
Excellent as usual