The Princess Dilemma

 With my literature class on Monday we discussed George MacDonald’s book “The Princess and the Goblin” first published in 1872. This is a fantasy story he wrote to introduce children to the idea of faith and the difference between good and evil. Within the story he contrasted the prevailing cultural definition of rich equals good and poor equals bad with a more biblical view that a person’s character defines them, not their breeding.

Providentially, on my way out the door to class, I happened to glace a section of the newspaper on its way to the recycle bin. The section's cover page included, a full page, full color, photo of a dressed-up princess entitled “Princess Dilemma: Are we sending a wrong message to little girls?”

The report provided great fodder for a discussion with the kids. Not only did we enjoy the humor in the newspaper writer’s thinking that the “princess phase” in a little girl’s life is a new phenomenon but we talked about why the desire to be a princess even exists in the hearts of little girls and big girls. And, why boys want to be the rescuer of the princess. That’s the plot of MacDonald’s story. And the Cinderella stories of every culture. It provided a delightful opportunity to discuss how the entire Bible is the story of Prince rescuing a dirty waif, dressing her up and taking her as His bride. Truly the perfect “happily ever after.”

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-28