Summary

The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch is a beloved children's book recognized for its innovative approach to traditional gender roles. First published in 1980, this tale of a courageous princess and her journey of self-discovery has received widespread critical acclaim and an endorsement from the National Organization for Women. In 2005, a 25th Anniversary Edition was released, providing insights into the story's creation and its global impact. More recently, plans for a high-profile film adaptation were announced, with Margot Robbie and Elizabeth Banks set to produce.

Plot

The story of The Paper Bag Princess begins with its titular heroine. Princess Elizabeth is preparing to marry the handsome Prince Ronald. Their plans are disrupted when a dragon attacks the castle, burning it down along with all of Elizabeth's possessions. The dragon then kidnaps Prince Ronald, leaving Elizabeth with nothing but a paper bag to wear.

Undeterred, Elizabeth sets out to rescue Ronald from the dragon. She tracks the dragon to its lair and devises a clever plan. Elizabeth challenges the dragon to prove its strength by performing feats like flying around the world and breathing fire. The dragon eagerly complies, not realizing that Elizabeth's true aim is to tire it out.

After the dragon exhausts itself and falls asleep, Elizabeth enters its cave to rescue Ronald. However, upon freeing him, Ronald's reaction is far from what she expected. Instead of thanking Elizabeth, he criticizes her appearance and tells her to come back when she looks more like a proper princess.

Shocked by Ronald's shallow and ungrateful attitude, Elizabeth has a change of heart. She realizes that Ronald is not worth her efforts after all. The Paper Bag Princess concludes with Elizabeth deciding to leave Ronald behind, rejecting his expectations of how a princess should look and act. She dances off into the sunset alone, empowered by her own strength and self-worth.

Themes

• Subversion of traditional fairy tale tropes

• Female empowerment and independence

• Valuing inner strength over outward appearance

• Challenging gender stereotypes

• Self-respect and self-worth

• Resourcefulness and problem-solving

• Rejection of superficial relationships

Setting

The Paper Bag Princess is set in a timeless, fairy tale-like era that blends medieval and modern elements. While the exact time period is not specified, the presence of a princess, prince, castle, and dragon suggest a fantasy world reminiscent of traditional European folktales.

The larger geographical area of the story encompasses a diverse landscape. The narrative mentions a castle, implying a kingdom or realm, and describes the dragon flying around the world, suggesting a global scale to the adventure. However, the specific locations within this world remain unnamed, maintaining the story's universal appeal.

The primary settings in The Paper Bag Princess include Princess Elizabeth's castle, which is destroyed by the dragon at the beginning of the story, and the dragon's lair where Prince Ronald is held captive. These locations serve as crucial backdrops for the princess's journey of self-discovery and empowerment, as she navigates through this fantastical world wearing nothing but a paper bag.

Characters

• Princess Elizabeth: The protagonist and titular character. Elizabeth is a brave, clever, and resourceful princess who challenges traditional fairy tale stereotypes. After losing everything to a dragon, she uses her wits to outsmart it and rescue Prince Ronald. Her journey of self-discovery leads her to realize her own worth and independence.

• Prince Ronald: Elizabeth's ungrateful and shallow fiancé. Ronald is captured by the dragon and later rescued by Elizabeth. He embodies outdated princely stereotypes, caring more about appearances than substance. His rude behavior towards Elizabeth ultimately drives her to reject him.

• The Dragon: The antagonist who destroys Elizabeth's castle and kidnaps Prince Ronald. This fierce creature is known for its strength and fire-breathing abilities. Despite its fearsome reputation, the dragon is outsmarted by Elizabeth's clever challenges.

Quick facts

• The Paper Bag Princess has sold more than seven million copies worldwide.

• The book launched Robert Munsch's career as a prominent Canadian children's author.

• The Paper Bag Princess reverses traditional princess and dragon stereotypes.

• The National Organization for Women has not only endorsed its feminist themes but also sells the book on its website.

• The Paper Bag Princess has been used to teach children about storytelling elements and critical literacy.

• A 25th Anniversary Edition was released in 2005, revealing the inspiration behind the book.

• The Paper Bag Princess was adapted into an animated episode for the TV series A Bunch of Munsch in 1992.

• There are plans for a movie adaptation to be produced by Margot Robbie and Elizabeth Banks.

• An interactive fiction game based on the book was created in 2013.

• The publisher had YouTube videos of Munsch reading the story removed due to copyright claims.

About the Author

Robert Munsch, born in Pittsburgh in 1945, is a renowned Canadian author of children's books. He initially studied to become a Jesuit priest but found his true calling in working with children. Munsch earned degrees from Fordham University, Boston University, and Tufts University before moving to Canada in 1975 to work at the University of Guelph's preschool. His career as an author took off when he was encouraged to publish the stories he created for the children he worked with. His best known works include The Paper Bag Princess and Love You Forever, which have sold millions of copies worldwide. 

Throughout his life, Munsch has faced personal challenges, including struggles with mental health and addiction. He has been open about his experiences with bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance abuse. In 2008, Munsch suffered a stroke that affected his memory, leading to his eventual retirement from writing new material.

Despite these setbacks, Munsch's impact on children's literature remains significant. He has received numerous accolades, including the Order of Canada and a star on Canada's Walk of Fame. Munsch's stories continue to captivate young readers, and his legacy as an author who brought joy and laughter to countless children endures.