Episode 104: Action Princesses!

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power helped to change how we think about princesses

Princesses used to be helpless damsels, but these days they're more likely to pick up a sword than wait to be rescued. Why do we love princesses who fight back? Does it have something to do with our hang-ups about femininity? Plus we talk about Charlie Jane's new book Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak!

Citations, links, & etc.!

Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak by Charlie Jane just came out!

This is the second book in the Unstoppable trilogy. The first book, Victories Greater Than Death, is out in paperback now!

Classic action princesses place more emphasis on “action” than “princess.” See Wonder Woman, Princess Leia, Xena: Warrior Princess.

Fairytale princesses were frequently kind of helpless back in the day, especially in the Disney versions: Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty and Ariel from The Little Mermaid come to mind.

Around 2016, there was a slew of articles in outlets like the Washington Post and the Guardian saying “Disney princesses are tough now!” They cited Moana, Brave, and other films.

And then there was Snow White and the Huntsman.

A lot of YA books recently have featured tough princesses, including The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning.

And of course She-Ra and the Princesses of Power!

A lot of pop culture in the 1990s and early 2000s revolved around the “surprise” that a high femme blonde was competent or heroic. See Legally Blonde and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.