MovieChat Forums > A Little Princess (1987) Discussion > Did Sarah have a little trouble with rea...

Did Sarah have a little trouble with reality?

posted 15 years ago by beetiesmom
6 replies | jump to latest

While I love the PBS version of ALP (so true to the book!), I always was of the opinion that while Sarah was sweet, patient and for the most part, uncomplaining under harsh treatment, she did have an imagination that detached from her reality. I think she had delusions of grandeur, no two ways about it. All this "Princess" stuff, aided and abetted by her father's almost pathological doting. Then, of course, Mr. Carrisford steps in as daddy-substitue and Sarah is richer than the Royal Family. So her "Princess" fantasy can go on for the rest of her life and she will never have to look Reality in the face again!

Still, it is a fun flick for moms and daughters to watch. My husband gave up after about five minutes and there was no way my son would ever watch it!! Merry Christmas, everyone!

[–] DarcyBrandon 15 years ago

Sarah knew what was going on. She wasn't crazy and living in her own world. She just had a strong imagination. Have you ever read the book?

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ash341986 15 years ago

She only takes a good princess as an example. In the book when Lavinia jeers about her pretending to be a princess she says she pretends to be a princess so that she can behave like one. It's about her behaviours and manners and not about living in her own world. She does think a lot, but her thinkings are not just fantasy. They includes philosophy and her vision of the history and the real world.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] PrincessBoy 15 years ago

"Still, it is a fun flick for moms and daughters to watch. My husband gave up after about five minutes and there was no way my son would ever watch it!! Merry Christmas, everyone!"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm a 34-year-old male, and I love this series. Also loved it at age 9 when it first came out!

Perfection is boring - flaunt the imperfection!

[–] CCsito 12 years ago

Sara did live a rather pampered life, but having endured hunger and deprivation, I don't think that she is the same person at the end that she was at the beginning of the story. She realizes that money can keep you from being hungry and provide for a roof over your head. But, she is more empathetic to others who are less fortunate than she is at the end. If Carrisford had not appeared to "save the day", she would have continued living in the bad conditions indefinitely. Yes, she wears the same nice elegant clothing as she did at the end just like she did from the beginning, but I believe that her personality experienced a shift in outlook. She becomes more aware of other children's sufferings and wants to use her newly found fortune to help them.