Superheroes and Fairy Tales

I saw Spider-Man 2 again tonight for the second time, and I still love the ending. You know, when Mary Jane decides to ditch Mr. Astronaut for Peter? It reminds me of "Wild at Heart," when John Eldredge talks about Eve being described as Adam's helper in Genesis. The word used, Eldredge explains, is ezer, which means life-saver or life-giver. What's more, he says, the only other times you find it in the Bible, it's referring to God Himself. Not a term to take lightly. How does this relate to Spidey, you ask? I'll tell you, but let's remember the scene.

Mary Jane has just walked in on a pensive and unsuspecting Peter Parker, still wearing her wedding dress ("Hey! I ordered Chinese!"). She then proceeds to tell him of her choice to be with him, despite the danger or the cost. She says how she needs him, and how they shouldn't be apart if they're meant to be together. Then, as she touches his cheek, she says, "Isn't it time someone saved your life?" Ah. There it is. Chanelling Eve. She may be saving his life in a metaphorical sense, but she is bringing a real breath of life into his world. We even see, throughout the movie, how he loses his powers whenever she drifts away from him. So Mary Jane bravely defies a life of comfort and listens to her heart. She offers Peter warmth, and tenderness, and love, so that he can be the warrior and hero he's destined to be. A comic turned fairy tale. Oh, and what are her final words to him in the film, when trouble calls for Spider-man? "Go get 'em, Tiger." Go, be what you're supposed to be. Go be a man.

Or mabye I'm being too romantic. You may vomit now if you like.
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Here it is, lads and lasses. The long-awaited product of the Will McCain Word Foundry. As per Becky's request, I tried my hand at a fairy tale. It's little more than a rough draft, so let the feedback fly.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess, and like all beautiful princesses, she had many princes seeking her hand. Prince after prince would come to court her, praising her beauty and describing the glorious life she would have as a queen in a far away land. She would smile and laugh, but every time she would decline. Hers was a good life and a peaceful kingdom. What need was there for her to marry? Still, the suitors came.

As word of her coyness spread, she became known for more than her beauty. A royal competition soon developed to see who could win her favor. Many princes tried using the “101 Perfect Poems for Pursuing Princesses”, to which the Princess would answer with the “101 Riling Retorts for Royal Romancing (and One Really Nasty Insult).” Even thus spurned, the princes continued to come.

The Princess began to tire of the constant attention. She feigned sickness, took long trips across the kingdom, and even dressed like (and was mistaken for) a servant girl on several occasions. Nothing worked. Then, while grumpily cleaning a bedpan one day, she realized that the princes would not stop coming while she remained at the castle. That gave her an idea.

In those days of yore, it was common to have sorceresses attending to the needs of royalty with knowledge now long forgotten. One day, the Princess took a sorceress friend of hers aside and told her of her problem and her plan to fix it.

“Sealed in a distant tower? Princess, that seems a bit rash to me. I know that these princes are tiresome, but surely they do not call for such extremes. You do seek to marry, do you not?” the Sorceress replied.

“One day, assuredly, but not as soon as my courtiers would have of me. I only wish to remove myself from here for a short while. Isolation in an enchanted tower will do well to help these bored princes forget me and their silly contest,” the Princess said.

“Nonetheless, I do not like the deception you suggest. If we are discovered, I will never salvage my good name. People will forever tell the tale of the poor princess imprisoned by the evil sorceress. Why, they might even say it was a witch. Oh, that would be disgrace upon humiliation,” moaned the reluctant Sorceress.

“Oh, speak not of such things. We shall not be uncovered, and I will forever remember the love you held for me in doing this service. Though, perhaps spreading the tale of a spiteful or jealous witch would make it all the more believable,” the Princess reasoned.

“We will do no such thing!" exclaimed the Sorceress. She sighed, "Oh, very well. I will help you, Princess. But just so you know, I have a very bad feeling about all of this.” The jubilant Princess then led the Sorceress away to make preparations for their great deception.

To be continued...


Twilight out.