In Defense of Apple White: Part One -- Introduction / Marketing "Rebels" / Friendship

Warning: The Storybook of Legends mild spoilers ahead. 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion -- especially when it comes to something as subjective as a book about princesses that is based on a doll line. That said, I feel there have been some very shortsighted "readings" on the character of Apple White. This notion crystallized for me as I came across more and more fan opinions describing Apple as "selfish", "idiotic", "vain", and "shallow". More damning statements, such as "Apple is a really stupid girl", "I wish [Apple] would stop being so mean to Raven," and more, weren't uncommon. I've even seen people outright call her a bitch. And I kind of have a problem with that. There are two sides to every story, and I'm not hearing much about Apple and her side. It's one that needs to be told; it's only fair. And so I've taken it upon myself to do just that.

A few parameters: I will be discussing Apple (and to a lesser degree Raven) as they are portrayed in The Storybook of Legends. The emphasis here will not be on the webseries. That said, the book syncs up remarkably well with the show, at least in regards to the basic plotline and most characterizations. It's for those reasons that I feel TSOL (my abbreviation of the book's title, to be used herein) is perfectly acceptable as canon to the overall brand that is Ever After High. One last note: I wrote a small but somewhat harsh piece about the book a few days ago on Tumblr. When I wrote that, I was about one-third of the way through. Since then, I finished the book and in fact have read it twice now. My opinion on the quality of the writing is much higher now compared to when I made that Tumblr post. With all that out of the way, let's get started!

We all know the setup for EAH. Children of classic fairy tale characters, attending a fairy tale boarding school, are faced with following in their parents footsteps. It's their destiny. But what if one chose not to follow that destiny? What would happen? Those who want to continue tradition are referred to as "Royals"; those who want to seek out their own destiny are considered "rebels".

Although TSOL is pitched as offering both sides of the Raven (Rebel)/Apple (Royal) story, from the very first pages it becomes clear that Raven (and the rebels) are the true protagonists of the book. The royals are neutral at best. Author Shannon Hale, undoubtedly directed by Mattel's marketing team, constantly spins the events of the book in favor of the rebels, at least in terms of character motivations. Mattel wants us to side with the rebels, presenting them as cool, down-to-Earth, and free-thinking. The royals are presented as cool, too. But free-thinking? Nah, not so much. More like rigid and even somewhat judgmental. Speaking in broad archetypes, the royals come across as "followers". It's not hard to side with the rebels if you fancy yourself an individualistic, open-minded type. And it's extremely easy to side with them if you take everything presented in the book at face value.

But dig a little deeper and a different story emerges. My focus within this series of posts isn't on the plot of the book. It's on the characters, specifically Apple and Raven. Everyone knows I am an Apple White fanboy. But I'm also honest and I "call 'em as I see 'em." I would never write a piece like the one you're reading now if I didn't wholeheartedly believe in what I'm saying. Apple White, that beautiful, blonde princess so many in the EAH fandom find to be shallow, vain, and a bitch, is to my mind strong, smart, driven, and brave. Indeed, even more than "rebellious" Raven Queen, Apple White is willing to take risks, think for herself, and face the possibility that her long-held beliefs could be completely wrong. And she displays these attributes with far more grace, dignity, and sincerity than the somewhat cynical Raven could ever dream of. And when it comes to friendship? Apple is the type of sincere, supportive friend we're told Raven is, but see very little of. When you get right down to it, Raven isn't a very good friend at all, not to Apple at least. One could even say she is just plain mean to her "friend". She clearly has no problems basically stabbing her friend in the back, that's for sure.

On that tantalizing note we'll end today's look into the dichotomy of Apple White and Raven Queen. Next time: it's all in how it's phrased, the irony of Raven and her mother, and a little girl whose near-death experience changed everything...