the princess in the tower, the dragon wrapped about it, the knight below.

This is the first of my blog roll blogs (the blog roll is a group of friends who all blog about the same topic). For this one I'm going to write mine first before I read what everyone else has written about the princess in the tower, the dragon wrapped about it, the knight below (unless I can't think of anything to write).

A princess stuck in a tower guarded by a dragon and a knight coming to her rescue is the classic fairy tale that is still told today whether that be through Disney movies, tongue-in-cheek versions like Shrek or the modern day version seen in many chic-flics/rom-coms. The idea that a woman is helpless and needs a man to be her conqueror and saviour is a rather old fashioned idea. I'm not entirely sure why it is still such a popular idea today. Why do we love reading books and watching movies with a female lead who comes up against some challenge or obstacle and needs a man to help her through (who she then falls in love with and they live happily ever after)? What is it we find so attractive about vulnerability in a woman?

Maybe we women like being taken care of sometimes and not feel like we have to do everything ourselves. Maybe men like being the protector, the strong one, feeling some sense of superiority. These feelings and their portrayal in film and literature probably have a lot to do with a modern western society which, when it's not indulging these feelings and fantasies, is screaming at us that we are equal, that we are all strong, capable individuals who should be selfishly looking out for ourselves only. I'm sure we can all agree that that is a lie. It is not only un-Christian but also impractical for us all to live such selfish lives. 


At the same time I'm sure we don't really want to live in a world where women can't do anything for themselves, where women are completely reliant on men to provide for them, look after them and crush anything that tries to harm them. Where is a woman's freedom in that world? Where is the appreciation of the strengths and skills women have and the things they are capable of doing not only for themselves but for other people too (including men) if they are given the chance?


I'd prefer a world where all are equal and are all able to use our skills, our strengths, our knowledge as we choose for the good of ourselves and others. I'd prefer a world where it is ok to admit that you can't do something and need someone's help, even if you're a man needing a woman's help. We are getting closer to a world that looks like this but we still have a long way to go. 

As well as stories of knights rescuing princesses we need stories of women rescuing men and stories of both men and women accomplishing great things both alone and with others to remind us all that we are capable individuals but our capabilities are not unlimited. As Rahab helped Joshua's spies in an enemy land, Belle Watling helped the group of Southern men facing hanging, Sam helped Frodo climb a mountain and save Middle Earth, and Dean helped Rory when she was struggling at Yale I believe we will all find ourselves uniquely placed to help in a time of need. Are we ready to help? Are we ready to admit when we're the one needing help?


I didn't really set out to write about gender equality and helping people, that's just how it turned out. I should also say that this whole post is focused on western/developed society; if I was to write about these things in relation to the whole world it would be way too long for a blog.

Now I'm off to see .how other people interpreted the topic...