Blog #10

Comic by Zach Weinsersmith. URL: https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2013-08-09

This modern online cartoon by Zach Weinsersmith takes an interesting look at the logic and classic characters from the Rapunzel fairy tale. Rapunzel is a popular story that has been adapted many times. The original Grimm version tells the story of a helpless maiden who is doomed to live in a tall tower because her parents stole from an evil witch's garden. Rapunzel eventually meets a handsome prince who she accepts as her husband, but when the witch discover's the truth Rapunzel's hair is cut off and she is banished. The devastated prince jumps out of the tower, blinding himself on the thorns below, and wonders blindly until he hears the voice of Rapunzel who is able to heal his eyes.

 The Disney movie version of the story is about Rapunzel who is is entrapped so the evil Mother Gothel can use her magic hair, but leaves the tower to go on an adventure to learn more about her heritage and the mysterious lights that fill the sky on her birthday. When Mother Gothel discovers she reveals her true evil nature and stabs Rapunzel's companion. Mother Gothel is only defeated when Rapunzel's hair is cut and Rapunzel's companion is healed with her tears.

This comic flips both of those versions on their heads by exploring a more sinister version of Rapunzel who is classically depicted as a helpless maiden. In this version there is no appearance or illusion to the existence of an evil witch who has trapped Rapunzel, instead it seems like Rapunzel is there of her own freewill in order to trick and trap the princes who try to save her. This is clever because Rapunzel is always shown as the helpless trapped princess who needs to be saved, but this comic suggests that it is actually the princes that need to be saved. The prince's logic in the comic is a clear rejection of the magic and suspension of disbelief found in fairy tales. This possibility of Rapunzel escaping is explored in the modern movie but is never even considered in the original story because it would ruin the magic and symbolism of the tale.