For the most part I find the whole "princess" archetype in most fiction to be annoying at best and disgusting at worst. Can you think of a worst role model for a girl than a young woman who only exists to validate a man's existance by first being rescued by the handsome prince and then promptly marrying him. Pop out an heir or two and then their life is pretty much over. Job done. Ugh! As a father of a princess obsessed 4 year old girl, I find those terrible Disney princesses sneaking into my life. No matter how much we've tried to keep her away from them, Ariel and the girls make their way in! So, I've been contemplating princesses in fiction quite a bit and found a good selection of ones that actually rock and could be good role models for girls to become independent, self-actualized women.
10. Princess Adora - A.K.A. She-Ra. A rebel leader fighting the evil Horde with super-powers!
9. Princess Fiona - She chose to be an ogre and rejected the traditional princess role.
8. Xena - She's a warrior princess that doesn't need a dude for nothing and I mean nothing!
7. Princess Diana of Paradise Island - Wonder Woman!
6. Princess Leia Organa - She can smell Vadar's stench as soon as she's on board!
5. Princess Ozma - The enlightened and peace loving monarch of Oz.
4. Princess Elizabeth - She defeats a dragon, tells the prince off and looks great in a paper bag.
3. Princess Eilonwy - Sorceress + tomboy = cool.
2. Princess Eowyn - The best character in the Lord of the Rings.
1. Princess Dorothy Gale - The People's Princess!
For more Dorothy and Ozma check out A Zen Master In Oz!
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Awesome break down. So glad that you included She-Ra.
ReplyDeleteJust noticed this comment. Sorry for the late response, SMS.
ReplyDeleteShe-Ra is an excellent princess. She's a rebel leader fighting against a repressive regime, choses not to live the life of a pampered noble in order fight the rebellion and is a whole lot more powerful than her brother, He-Man. She can talk to animals, has occasional psychic abilities as well as being super strong etc. She also has a much more interesting back story. She-Ra is a far superior character to the very simplistic He-Man.