I ran 8 miles this morning, mostly solo. I run relatively slow (that distance took me almost exactly 1.5 hrs), and since I rarely run to music, it gives me plenty of time to think.
Last night's post was prompted in part because I had read Sarah Ferguson's autobiography. You know, Fergie. The Duchess of York. I always liked and admired her spirit more than I did Princess Diana's, and so I was interested to learn about who she really was. I read the entire book in a single evening.
I got to thinking about how the fairy tale for her ended up being a nightmare. Not because of the man she married, but all the trappings that went with his position as a prince. It truly ended up being a trap for her and killed her marriage, despite the fact that they still loved each other (and I believe they still do, 10+ years following the divorce).
When I was a girl, my favorite show (and favorite game of make-believe) was Little House on the Prairie. My favorite books were that entire series, and later Little Women. I identified with Laura and Jo, who were imaginative, active girls who tried to maintain their identities despite pressures to conform to the more "ladylike" standards of the day. For the most part, they succeeded.
My sister (who was my partner in the Little House make-believe) has 3 daughters. Their idols? The Disney princesses. Whose identities and worth are ultimately determined by the fact that they get their prince.
No thanks. I don't need a prince or a knight in shining armor. Someone who will join me on some adventures and have fun and be a partner? Yeah, I'll take one of those instead.
3 comments:
a crime fighting side kick....maybe in tights and a cape.
nice.
Good for you, Kris! I must admit I was curious as to what led to last night's musing. ;-)
One of my favorite literary characters as a child was Lizzy from Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice". She was kind of cut from the same mold as Laura & Jo (other favorites of mine as well). She was very independent, intelligent, and refused to do what was "expected" of her opting instead to live the life of her choosing, which was not something commonly done by a woman in the 18th century.
I hope you enjoyed your run/noodling time. :-)
Melissa-
Love Lizzie! I forgot to include her, though I guess I was thinking about when I was a young girl. I'd read the Little House series by the time I was 7 and Little Women by the time I was 10. Prime fairy-tale wishing ages.
I didn't read Pride and Prejudice til I was a senior in high school. I think I was the only student in my class to not only finish the book but to actually like it. It is still a fave today (as are the others).
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