Here’s one for Mr. Gibbs.

I only saw the first Pirates Movie on a flight to somewhere. I have heard it was all downhill from there, what with a blooming goddess and the rest. Par for the course, no?

Here is Wikipedia on Elizabeth Swann (emphasis mine):

Unlike most young women in her time, Elizabeth is independent and spirited. Throughout the films, she transforms from a graceful, mild-mannered lady to a true and courageous pirate. Elizabeth has always been fascinated by pirates, but she is often revolted by their aggressive and wild nature, especially Jack Sparrow. Even after becoming a pirate, she retains her sense of propriety, as well as her loyalty and compassion for loved ones (namely William Turner).

Elizabeth adapted well to pirate life, although she had previously learned how to handle a sword from her (at the time) fiancee, Will Turner. She is able to defend herself against multiple opponents and can fight using two swords. Elizabeth has natural leadership abilities, quickly learned seamanship, and displays a talent for battle strategy, devising many defensive and offensive maneuvers against her opponents. It should be noted that she is the only character in the film to use a chinese Jian as her weapon of choice, which is ironical considering the setting it was used in: The Jian, known as the most civilized and elegant of all chinese weapons, ended up being a pirate’s weapon.

I guess every other woman of her time, with rare exception, was a servile dolt who could do nothing for herself. Thank God, for Elizabeth, who was independently minded enough to become a pirate! Of course, Hollywood creates the absurd illusion that a woman can be feminine and at the same time win at a man’s game by his own rules. At the beginning of the first movie, the young and ladylike Elizabeth sings the pirate song:

We pillage, we plunder, we rifle and loot. Drink up me ‘earties yo ho! We kidnap and ravage and don’t give a hoot. Drink up me ‘earties yo ho! Yo ho, yo ho a pirate’s life for me. We extort, we pilfer, we filch and sack. Drink up . . .

Of course, there’s no mention of ravishing and raping. But hey, Elizabeth will just cut to pieces anyone who gets in her way. Right? The great feminist illusion.

I know its just fantasy, so I am not about to wax philosophical about Pirates of the Caribbean. Even so, it is typical of the absurd feminist propaganda we have to endure everywhere.

I fondly remember growing up with the original ride at Disneyland in California. It was a blast and nothing to be taken seriously. Of course, the movies are fun too and no more to be taken seriously than the ride. As long as one knows that the fun is absurd, fine by me. What concerns me is the predictable presentation of the modern heroine, an icon of the notion that no woman but a feminist can be “independent and spirited” (read intelligent and influential). Bloody feminist rubish.