Leaving Prince Charming Behind Karlo Mila

Do now: 1.Write down all the fairy tales you know that feature love stories 2.What stereotypes about men, women and love do these stories present?

Fairy Tale allusions in the poem “living the fairy tale” “the myth” “happily ever after” “princess” “Rapunzel” “the tower” “cursing your name” “poison apple” “mirrors on the wall” “glass slipper” “red blood” “white cloth” “mirrors on the wall” “prince on your gallant white horse” “shoe” “kiss” “dragon… you felt honour bound to slay”

4. Stereotypes The stereotypical fairy tale princess is pretty, submissive, obedient, weak and passive. She is often imprisoned and helpless, waiting for the prince to rescue her. She is dependent on males. Mila shows she wishes to challenge these stereotypes. She describes herself as “not believing in glass slipper redemption” – that is, not believing that she needs to wait for a man like Prince Charming to rescue / marry her.

Reversal of stereotypes in the poem She also says “I transformed myself into a beautiful dragon” – a creature that is not weak or soft, but fierce, fiery and powerful. This shows she refuses to play the passive female. By describing herself as “Rapunzel with her dreadlocks shorn” she presents herself as a very different sort of heroine. By having dreadlocks she rejects the long blonde hair typical of princesses, and opts for a look associated with women with a strong identity. The fact that they are shorn shows she isn’t waiting for a man to “rescue” her.

Connotations 5. “I believed you the architect of my isolation” – the connotations of this phrase are…. 6. “glass slipper redemption” = allusion / metaphor

Imagery “I worked my own midnight magic for all it was worth / red blood, white cloth, mirrors on the wall” By using active verbs (“I worked..) she emphasises that she tried hard to make the relationship work but to no avail. The image of the mirror suggests she had to find her own self worth. The imagery of “Red blood, white cloth” suggests violence / death (her pain? Sacrifice?) – such as in stories like Snow White where the evil queen tries to kill Snow White. “Midnight magic” – refers to Cinderella where the magic transformation ends at midnight. This imagery is also linked to the line “the poison apple was lodged firmly in my throat”- which shows she was metaphorically ‘choking’ in the relationship.

The author: Karlo Mila Karlo Mila is of Tongan / Samoan / Palagi descent What does ‘Leaving Prince Charming’ tell us about her attitudes? nd.ac.nz/pasifika/mila3. asp

Comparison between Karlo Mila’s poems LEAVING PRINCE CHARMING BEHIND THIS IS LOVE