By Madeleine Caprosz
For many people across this planet, The Powerpuff Girls was a cartoon that cannot be forgotten. For me, it holds a special place in my heart (and my rankings of greatest cartoons of all-time). It was not simply the story of three super-power infused little girls. The Powerpuff Girls symbolized that a generation of women and girls will not grow up with the glass ceiling looming over their head. The glass ceiling was still there but we were now growing up and learning all the ways we could challenge it and shatter it. The indomitable spirit of the Powerpuff Girls was a key ingredient in our challenge of the patriarchy in every aspect of society.
For many people across this planet, The Powerpuff Girls was a cartoon that cannot be forgotten. For me, it holds a special place in my heart (and my rankings of greatest cartoons of all-time). It was not simply the story of three super-power infused little girls. The Powerpuff Girls symbolized that a generation of women and girls will not grow up with the glass ceiling looming over their head. The glass ceiling was still there but we were now growing up and learning all the ways we could challenge it and shatter it. The indomitable spirit of the Powerpuff Girls was a key ingredient in our challenge of the patriarchy in every aspect of society.
The show was entertaining and dark while overcome with the spirited demeanour of the girls. These three very different girls always faced their monsters (quite literally) with the same spirit, the spirit of hope and resilience born out of strength and compassion (and not physical strength or violence or power or insecurity).
Nothing about the girls’ life was perfect, and they certainly had moments when they were too tired or down to keep their fighting spirit but they never relented and they even managed to help each other across that finish line. This show was a defining moment in my childhood, where I felt limitless (in a way that empowered rather than overwhelmed). And that is what makes great art timeless and worthwhile. The Powerpuff Girls were just that, great art with tremendous reach and a powerful as well as meaningful connection.
Nothing about the girls’ life was perfect, and they certainly had moments when they were too tired or down to keep their fighting spirit but they never relented and they even managed to help each other across that finish line. This show was a defining moment in my childhood, where I felt limitless (in a way that empowered rather than overwhelmed). And that is what makes great art timeless and worthwhile. The Powerpuff Girls were just that, great art with tremendous reach and a powerful as well as meaningful connection.
