Rapunzel + Corona
These are just some thoughts I had a while back and never got around to posting.
It’s always bothered me that Rapunzel seems to skirt around Corona’s issues, especially when it comes to its harsh or insensitive measures. This includes decisions made by Frederick as well as those already established as rigid laws. For some reason this really bothered me until one day I considered this:
Maybe the reason Rapunzel doesn’t try to call attention to Corona’s flaws is because she feels obligated to love it. After all, it is her “home” so perhaps she feels like she should accept it completely since it’s been so gracious in accepting her. Maybe she’s worried they’ll kick her out or banish her if she expresses distaste or interferes.
With that being said, she doesn’t really hold back once she gets to the palace. She’s still wild and carefree, and doesn’t seem to be super worried about upsetting the kingdom as a whole. Regardless, considering Rapunzel’s potential fears helps me to empathize with her because I become frustrated and upset the more I think about her character in the series and how she treats others. Again, I don’t hate her, but it is difficult when I’ve come to connect a lot of her habits and tendencies with my ex-best friend so..... yeah.
#sorrynotsorry
For me personally, I feel like she doesn’t see how some things are “too much” or simply unwanted for others. Don’t get me started on all the festivities and frills that Raps tries to drag Cass into without asking her if she wants to participate. She just assumes that any decent person would want to celebrate because who in their right mind wouldn’t? Celebrating is fun and everyone loves it! Again, I love her zest for life and all that positivity + enthusiasm, but it’s hard to feel sympathy for her when she doesn’t consider the feelings of others. Unintentional or not, it hurts. And I know that she had her own trauma to deal with where Mother Gothel is unconcerned. Believe me, I get that. But it doesn’t give her an excuse not to try at all.
That’s my problem. I know this is silly, but I really do feel hurt when she repeatedly forgoes boundaries and crosses the line (who’s the bad guy now?) in her relationship with Cass. She is told that certain things make Cass uncomfortable or that she just doesn’t want to do something, but Raps doesn’t take no for an answer. And the worst part is that somehow it makes her a great friend, like she’s pushing Cass to be a better person. As a result, Cass is made out to be a work-in-progress because her key personality traits don’t fit in with societal standards. I feel like Cass is treated like she’s never good enough because she’s too cynical, too sarcastic, too witty but somehow not in the way that’s “good”.
I’m gonna stop before I get lost down this rabbit trail once again, but thanks for indulging me. I am more empathetic towards Rapunzel than before, but I’ve still got a long ways to go. Empathy isn’t easy, ya’ll, but it’s right.