28 March 2017
Category B - Prompt D
"You Don't Own Me" by Lesley Gore
The passage I chose is the entirety of Chapter Fifteen, in which Katsa finally stands up to her Uncle and asserts her autonomy. She answers his threats with one of her own, and although she itches to follow through with her threat, a voice of reason (partially influenced by Po) advises her to act rationally, to make her point without bloodshed. Katsa succeeds with a final blow, leaving the court with the words "I'm no longer yours to command" hanging in the air, as her Uncle watches her retreating back, eyes wide and astonished along with his men (170).
I think the passage is best represented in the song's lyrics:
You don't own me
I'm not just one of your many toys... /
And don't tell me what to do
Don't tell me what to say... /
You don't own me
Don't try to change me in any way
You don't own me
Don't tie me down 'cause I'd never stay
The lyric "you don't own me"
resonate with her final words to her Uncle, as well as the lyric "not just
one of your many toys," as if to say others are forced to do his bidding,
while she has the courage not to, because she realizes it's wrong (and she is
able because she is Graced). The lines "don't tell me what to do
[(say)]" represent her establishment of dominance when she addresses her
Uncle with "Don't try to stop me" (170). The last four lines I chose,
represent her defiance to follow her Uncle's orders, which is seen in the
discourse between the two, when she answers "I didn't agree with your
order, Lord King" (166). Her Uncle tried to make her into this ultimate
killing machine, which for a time she followed blindly, then with reluctance,
finally with contempt, until she decided enough was enough. Hence, the lyrics " You
don't own me / Don't try to change me in any way," and the defiance
factor again with the line "Don't tie me down 'cause I'd never stay."
This was a great choice because it is obvious that Randa views his relationship with his niece, Katsa, as an owner/property relationship rather than a familial one. I think the jazzy and interesting music in this song also underlines Katsa demeanor in this scene as steady yet serious when making one of the largest life choices she has made thus far.
ReplyDeleteI really love this song choice! I might be a little biased because I love the song itself, but I can definitely see the parallels between the lyrics and the novel. I think this song captures Katsa's spirit perfectly. She is confident in her assertions, and refuses to be viewed as "lesser." She is not afraid to stand up to her uncle and show him exactly why he cannot think of her simply as property.
ReplyDeleteHAHA YES! Exactly... this will now forever be the song I play in my head when I read passages depicting Katsa's independent nature. I believe the song to be a little more sensual than I imagine Katsa to be but otherwise perfect.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the song being more sensual than we perceive Katsa, but I think that is partly because she basically grew up without parents, was treated as property, and lacked emotional development. However, I feel that towards the end of the novel, she recognizes her attachments to her closets friends and, especially, Po as being emotional and romantic, respectively. That being said, I think she finally accepts these new qualities, which empowers her in her own autonomy, thus, the song representing her sensual and serious qualities.
DeleteHi Liz,
ReplyDeleteThis song is a perfect choice. I'll admit it was circulating through my head as I re-read this time, probably because of the newer version (over)used by Suicide Squad. I think this older version works better because it is less obviously sexualized in a way that is befitting of Katsa. This song perfectly speaks to how male control turns women into objects rather than active subjects, and when Katsa is rejecting her Uncle she is claiming her agency and refusing to be an object, weapon or tool, for him anymore. I could also see her having very similar words with Po, though less confrontational, as she makes it clear to him that they will be lovers but he cannot own her in marriage or by controlling her actions.