*Note, as of right now, I’m on chapter 6 of the book and not yet done with it
As of right now, the story of “A Little Princess” (Frances Hodgson Burnett) to me seems to show themes about challenging expectations. It is a story that tells the reader that you aren’t permanently confined to the labels placed on you by other people.
I believe that we can see the theme of challenging expectations mostly within the friendship between Sara, the main character, and Becky, the scullery-maid. Despite being several years older than Sara, Becky is described as “stunted in growth” due to being malnourished and overworked, but also not as highly-educated as Sara. She is subservient and accustomed to nothing else but being ordered around and treated unkindly. This is why she is so confused and frightened when Sara treats her with friendliness on their very first encounter together. Instead of being angry at her for falling asleep, Sara lets out a kind laugh and says “You couldn’t help yourself.”
Sara is rather popular in the boarding school due to her storytelling abilities that drives the rest of the girls to sit around her and eagerly listen to her tales after the daily lessons are over. One of the girls who also enjoys Sara’s stories is Becky, but she keeps herself from being seen hearing Sara’s tales. Lavinia, one of the students that regularly has disagreements with Sara, expresses how it isn’t right to have “servant girls” listen to her stories. Becky already was hiding herself to listen long before Lavinia even said this, so it is clear that she has already internalized this idea from somewhere and knows she shouldn’t be engaging in the same activities as the students. Not only is it because she feels she isn’t entitled to leisure or fun as a maid, but because there has clearly been a barrier built between her and the rest of the young girls due to societal expectations and her own personal agreements with them. In a way to appeal to expectations so that Becky doesn’t get punished by the authoritarian teacher of the school, Miss Minchin, Sara decides to let her friend Becky hear some of the stories within the privacy of Sara’s room. That way, they can challenge these norms, but in a way that is safe and won’t destroy their friendship, which is something that already is not allowed.
I believe it’s also important to mention how Sara earns the nickname of “Princess” due to her old-fashioned way of speaking, spectacular wardrobe, and wealth. Becky, the maid, and Sara, the princess, having a joyful friendship together also reflects the theme of challenging expectations.
EXTRA NOTES: I would recommend “A Little Princess” to any person, young or old, because it’s such a fascinating and comforting read about how challenging what is accepted by the masses can bring you so many more opportunities you could might have never imagined. Sara never once leads her life with preset barriers in her mind, she simply approaches people the same way she would anyone else. I think that is such an inspiring and powerful mindset to have. It doesn’t have to be in regards to social class or education level like in this story, but just how we tend to see other people as so much more successful than us or intimidating, and hesitate to approach or befriend them. Putting these barriers aside allows you to connect with others in a way you probably have never imagined. It allows us to take away all of our possessions and wealth to see ourselves as just humans.
I love stories about friendship and platonic love, especially between women or girls, so Becky and Sara’s relationship is really touching to me in more ways than one and has brought me to tears so many times. One of my favorite moments between them is when Becky gives Sara her handmade birthday present. It is a cushion made up of old fabric, stuck in with black pins to say “Mery hapy returns.” On the back, a card from Miss Amelia (another one of the teachers in the boarding school) is pinned to the back of the cushion. This specific section, where Sara receives the present and knows immediately that Becky made it, makes me tear up every time. This is Becky describing the gift to Sara.
Mind you, at this point in the story, Sara hasn’t even said “I love you” to her father yet…
THEY MEAN SO MUCH TO ME!!!!!!! \(T_T)/
