Apr 13, 2011

Rapunzel

Rapunzel
it's a Germany fairy tale about a girl, kind of over-protected by her custodian Mother Gothel in the tower, met and fell into her Mr Right who accidentally dicovered Rapunzel and then started her new life. 

Meet Rapunzel
Disney remakes it as an 3D animation,first 3D princess, titled Tangled.The story is quite different from the original version which happens mostly inside the tower and not realated to the Royal(Rapunzel is merely a rural girl in the original version). In Tangled, Rapunzel is a princess who was kidnapped and raised since her infancy by Mother Gothel who wanted to own magical power of her blondy hair. She was living a life with ignorance of outside world until a Crown-thief Flyn Rider ran into her home when escaping the guards. Sparked by this outsider, Rapunzel decided to take the step, having an adventure of her own against Mother Gothel's will, to make her own dream come true.

Rapunzel and Little Mermaid are quite alike.
Just like all other Disney princesses, Rapunzel has all virtues: Pulchritude, Kindness, Positiveness etc. Rapunzel has her unique dual-personality. In some situations, she fights herself like demon and angel on the shoulders ,and murmurs to herself just like having conversation to someone else all the time! And since she grew up outside the palace she does not behave in "Standard Princess" style. Instead, she is an energetic girl with strong curiosity just like other teens of her age in real society. Some naive reacts in some occasions makes a laugh or two. Her personality cheers people: thugs sing for her, a palace horse bow for her, the village dance for her and even a rebellious boy changes for her. Rapunzel is lovely. Moreover, her persistence to see those lanterns, and her courage to take the step resonates people. The adventure she decides to go on is a symbolic optimism, encouraging you and me to dream and making us confident enough to pursuit our own happiness. The role this girl plays is to remind people of the beauty of  Goodness. 

Besdies Rapunzel herself, other elements in world of Tangled are fascinating for me.

First, the Golden Flower symbolizing Reborn is the core of the tale. At beginning of the story, the origin of the Golden Flower has been mentioned. It's from the sun. Sun has important meaning to this world: the kingdom's symbol is Sun. The flower is the only thing that has magical power in this world. Even Mother Gothel, looking like a witch, was just a normal person, taking advantage of power of the flower. And our princess Rapunzel, the girl of destiny, carries its power in the form of her Blondy hair. To awke the power of Sun, you have to sing a very beautiful incantation :

Flower Gleam and Glow
Let Your Power Shing
Make The Clock Reverse
Bring Back What Once Was Mine
Heal What Has Been Hurt
Change The Fate Design
Save What Has Been Lost
Bring Back What Once Was Mine

What Once Was Mine

Mother Gothel is a very interesting character whose characteristics has dual personality,too. but not like Rapunzel, her duality is made on purpose, to keep Rapunzel in her own life.She seems a parent of kindness, but deep inside her heart there's still selfishness and evilness exists. The intention to be forever young somehow made her a good mother,t reating Rapunzel like her own. But in conversations we can see Mother Gothel keeping showing her self-concern and trying to make it up aftermath by saying " I'm just teasing you."
Mother and Daughter
 What I am going to emphasize is although Mother Gothel is actually mean person, she really loves Rapunzel, raises Rapunzel healthily and well-educated, and most important of all, she teaches Rapunzel right morals, so Rapunzel wouldn't become another Mother Gothel cunning and selfish.( another possible explanation may be Rapunzel learns morals from books and Mother Gothel didn't interfere, or you might say, did not care. Good reslut anyway.) I have this thought because I believe Love is Mutual. So when Rapunzel sings I have my mother's Love, I believe that Mother Gothel has put her real emotion into this relationship. At the end of story, Rapunzel makes a deal with Mother Gothel to save  Eugene's life. The deal is that  things will be just like the way it was. And Mother Gothel compromise shows that she can't live without a daughter. Despite living centuries, Mother Gothel is a normal person with mother instincts.