Babette Cole's Princess Smartypants is a young woman who has, according to her mother, reached the age at which she is ready for marriage. This typical fairytale theme of a young princess is contradicted and overthrown constantly by Princess Smartypants' character throughout the whole story – she seems, dresses, appears and behaves more like a child than a lady, favours pet monsters over men and tends to have more fun playing around than being responsible or at least behaving according to the position she is put into. It seems that for her, this childlike lifestyle is the key to living “happily ever after” in a world such as hers - one of responsibility - and that she stands for the message that the child inside is what leads to happiness if lived to the full with devotion. This paper aims to elaborate on this thesis and its proof given in several elements of the children's story.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Princess Smartypants as an example of how the child inside is the key to happiness
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper explores the idea that the childlike spirit within Princess Smartypants is the key to her happiness in a world that expects her to embrace a more traditional, responsible, and adult princess role. The paper examines the evidence for this thesis through various aspects of the story.
- The representation of Smartypants' childlike appearance and behavior
- The contrast between Smartypants' playful nature and the seriousness of the princes
- The significance of Smartypants' pet monsters as symbols of her childlike freedom and happiness
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The paper begins by analyzing Princess Smartypants' appearance and behavior, highlighting her childlike qualities. The author then delves into the contrast between Smartypants' playful nature and the expectations of responsibility imposed by the princes. Through examining the relationship between Smartypants and her pet monsters, the author concludes that her childlike spirit is the key to her happiness.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The keywords of this paper include: childhood, happiness, princess, responsibility, play, freedom, pet monsters, children's literature, fairytale, gender roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central thesis of the paper on Babette Cole's "Princess Smartypants"?
The central thesis is that Princess Smartypants' childlike lifestyle and spirit are the keys to her happiness in a world that expects her to be a traditional, responsible, and married princess.
How does Princess Smartypants challenge traditional fairytale tropes?
She contradicts fairytale norms by dressing and behaving like a child, preferring pet monsters over princes, and choosing play over traditional adult responsibilities.
What do the pet monsters represent in the story?
The pet monsters serve as symbols of her childlike freedom and her deviation from the traditional expectations of a royal lady.
What aspects of the princess's appearance are analyzed in the paper?
The paper analyzes how her childlike appearance and behavior contrast with the seriousness and expectations of the princes who seek her hand in marriage.
What are the key themes explored in this analysis of children's literature?
Key themes include the contrast between play and responsibility, the definition of happiness, gender roles, and the importance of the "child inside."
According to the abstract, what leads to a "happily ever after" for the princess?
Living the childlike spirit to the full with devotion is presented as the path to her ultimate happiness and freedom.
- Quote paper
- Marc Backhaus (Author), 2012, "Princess Smartypants" by Babette Cole as an example of how the child inside is the key to happiness, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/233456
