Princess Smartypants Anaylsis

Gender stereotypes are frequently inserted into aspects of everyday life, popularly through motion films, books, advertisements and fairy tales passed down through generation to generation. The common theme of fairy tales includes a flawless leading lady in need of a saviour and a handsome courageous prince who magically saves his damsel in distress in the nick of time. However, though this theme of story has been told for many years and to many ears, Babette Cole takes upon a new twist to the life of prince and princesses, thus creating Princess Smartypants. The main character, Princess Smartypants, does not conform to the common portrayal of princesses and rather the opposite. For instance, she is a pants-wearing, messy girl who does not wish to marry and “enjoyed being a Ms.” Cole additionally made sure that she was not in need of recusing and had the ability and smarts to look after herself, therefore empowering her and blending the line between femininity and masculinity. In fairy tales, there is usually an accompanying prince who is represented in positive traits that relate to strength and power. However, in this children story, the princes written are not the typical male lead. This too is evident in the story as the majority of the heirs wishing to wed the princess are given tasks but unable to complete them due to their difficulty, contradicting the stereotypical prince who is willing to accomplish anything for their female. There is one character in the story who fits the description of the ‘perfect prince’, Prince Swashbuckle. He is able to complete all task given displaying bravery, power and strength. However, Cole refused to create a normal fairy tale and completed the story with Prince Swashbuckle transforming into a frog with a kiss from Princess Smartypants. The generalisation of men and woman are displayed everywhere, but the children book, Princess Smartypants did not fit this theme and created new and original characters who are more likely to been seen in reality in this modern time, blurring the simplification of masculinity and femininity.

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