MovieChat Forums > A Little Princess (1987) Discussion > Sympathy for Sara/Becky

Sympathy for Sara/Becky

posted 10 years ago by Mondhaeschen
6 replies | jump to latest

I like this film very much, it is a beautiful Christmas story about being kind to and respect people no matter where they come from and helping those who are in need.

Still I find that we and also the characters in the film sympathize with Sara more than, say, with Becky, partly because she seems to be “entitled” to live a better life coming from a rich family, thus having good manners and being well educated. (Of course, her being a kind and caring person is at least as important.)

On the other hand no one but Sara (and maybe Ram, being a servant himself) truly sympathizes with Becky, who probably had a much harder life than Sara, always being poor and never being loved or cared for.

My point is that neither Sara nor Becky chose their fate. And if we compare the lives of both girls, it is probably Becky who struggles more and it is her who we should feel more sympathy with. Instead, we are happy that Sara, eventually, becomes wealthy again and we don’t necessary feel sorry that Becky will remain a maid all her life.

So in the end, like in every "princess-story", we buy in the thought, that some people should be more fortunate (regarding wealth/love/chances in life) simply because of their ancestry, social status or, comparably, good looks.

Somebody feels the same?/What are your thoughts?

[–] AutumnCider 9 years ago

I was very sorry that Becky remained a maid at the end. She was one of the VERY few people who did not turn on Sara after she lost her fortune. At the very least, she could have been Sara's companion, and educated along with Sara to give her a chance at a better life. At the most, Carrisford could have taken Becky as his ward, and raised her as Sara's sister.

[–] fleurfairy 9 years ago

Being a lady's maid was a far better station than someone like Becky could have ever hoped to achieve. She would have been doomed to be a scullery maid the rest of her life had Sarah not come into her fortune. I think her background would have prevented her from truly blending into the upper class. But she really did hit the jackpot because Sarah would give Becky a comfortable and happy life as her maid.

[–] Housefan2 8 years ago

Unfortunately, a person's birth was very important in the Victorian Era. Even after Sara loses her money, Becky still assists Sara. Yes, Sara treats Becky well but she treated Becky well before she lost her money. Both Sara and Becky would have been taught "your place" since birth.

Even Miss Minchin treated Sara differently than Becky. Sara was allowed to further her education at night. She was allowed to borrow school books and supplies. Certainly Becky (or even the other servants) wouldn't have been permitted this indulgence. She also helped the younger pupils with their studies. Miss Minchin also didn't plan for Sara to be a Maid of All Work her entire life. Once Sara came of age, she could work as an instructor at the seminary.

Now, when Sara's fortune is returned to her, she takes Becky as her personal maid. Becky, a scullery maid at Miss Minchin's, suddenly went from being the lowest form of servant in the house to one of the highest ranking. She would report and work directly for Sara, the lady of the house. She would travel with Sara, run errands with/for Sara, and she would be well paid.

Yes, in our society it seems shocking. We would prefer to see an ending like the 1995 version where Becky becomes Sara's sister. However, considering the era in which the story takes place, it is merely the way life was for those like Becky.

Lizzie

To love another person is to see the face of God! - Les Miserables

[–] DarcyBrandon 8 years ago

The novel was originally written in 1905. Becky becoming Sara's maid and living a better life than being a scullery maid in the school was a happy ending.

She wasn't going to be adopted or become Sara's sister or anything like that because that sort of ending would have been unheard of for the audience it was originally written for.

[–] rndgurl-971-654277 8 years ago

I was happy for Becky at the end.. I liked both characters, but like the OP said I felt really bad for Becky because she did not "choose" this life.. I liked Becky's bluntness and her kind nature.. Miss Minchin was horrible to both of them but to Becky more so.. It was nice to see Becky happy at the end..

[–] DarcyBrandon 8 years ago

I think that was a happy an ending that Becky could dream of. Plus, I like to imagine that Sara would teach Becky to read and Becky would have a better life than she would have had at the school.