In this reflection paper, I will discuss the retelling of "Rapunzel" from "Politically Correct Bedtime

Stories", examining how the author dismantles typical notions of beauty, identity and female agency. I
will also explore how this revision calls for inclusivity and a richer understanding of human complexities,
forming a path towards a more realistic and empowering representation.

From the beginning, I was captivated by the writer's satirical manipulation of the stories to mock the
absurd extremes of political correctness. I was humorously struck by phrases like "kindness-
impaired"(p.30), "greater-than-average"(p.33), and several others. However, the veneer of amusement
led to reflection, and I found the writer's politically correct intentions to be neither serious nor free from
the possibility of offence.

What struck me as the most inspiring part of the story was the moment Rapunzel escapes the tower and
her transformative journey that takes place afterwards. There are two empowering aspects of this scene
that I am going to reflect upon. Firstly, the story teases expectations by not making Rapunzel's hair play
a central role in her escape. Instead, she uses her resourcefulness to find a way out of the tower. Also, I
found the image of the "extra set of hair" hilarious. (p.34)

Moreover, earlier in the story, Rapunzel's long hair is the emblem of her feminity and her sexuality.
More than that, her hair is also a tool of control, ousting her autonomy for the witch's inconvenience.
Thus, cutting her hair is an act of reclaiming her agency beyond societal standards. Secondly, the
exploitation of Rapunzel's hair and her singing talents at the hands of the witch mother and the prince
reflect the manipulation of women, their talents and their bodies by those in positions of power.
Donating her hair to a fundraiser becomes a gesture of communal empowerment and also dismantles
the perception of beauty as a solitary activity (p.37). I also have donated my hair once, and as a south
Asian woman, the choice to redefine my identity and empower others holds particular resonance.

Now that I have delved into the subtleties of Rapunzel's journey from the tower to freedom, I also have
to point out a critical angle that the author may have overlooked—the complexities of healing from
psychological trauma and the realistic process of Rapunzel's recovery. Rapunzel's life in the tower, under
the shadow of her mother with "codependency problems"(p.35), exposes the oppressive clutch of a
toxic mother-daughter relationship. The mother isolates her from the outside world, hindering her
personal growth and capitalizing on her talent later in the story. While Rapunzel's escape was a pivotal
moment of liberation, it echoes the reality of overcoming lifelong trauma. Escaping an abusive
environment and stepping into the outside world is not as easy or swift of a transformation as the
author had implied. This inaccuracy highlights the importance of more inclusive voices in storytelling,
and I believe that the nuances of healing deserve authentic representation. I like to imagine Rapunzel
seeking help (therapy?) first and whatever happened to Rapunzel making meaningful friendships before
becoming an active member of the new community.

The idealistic conversion of Rapunzel as a self-sufficient heroine capable of overcoming all leans towards
the opposite extreme of the damsel in distress trope, showcasing an intellectual prowess rather than a
balanced feminist narrative. I found this oversight quite irritating and it can be attributed to the fact that
the story is the creation of a male author.

All in all, the retelling of Rapunzel unveils a sophisticated interplay of satire, empowerment, and some
ignored aspects. As a woman, the story opened reimagined dimensions of well-known tales, but we
must recognize the nuanced healing processes and the need for diverse outlooks.