For the first time, I’m participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge! The concept is simple: Each day in April I’ll be blogging on a topic starting with the letter of the day, beginning with A and progressing to Z by the end of the month. Posts will be short and will relate to my chosen theme: my new coming of age story, Rightfully Ours, released April 1.
P is for Pirates
What is our fascination with pirates? Kids love pirates, for sure. Pirate play sets, books, and costumes never go out of style. For my oldest son’s fourth birthday a decade ago, I hosted a pirate party in our back yard in which the kids dug for buried treasure, crafted parrots to perch on their shoulders, played Pin the X on the Treasure Map, and pummeled a papier-mâché pirate piñata. (Ask me if I had the will to host anything so elaborate for any of the children that followed. The answer is no.)
Pirates turn up at the door every Halloween, children and adults. Then there is International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19). Not to mention, my favorite baseball team, the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In Rightfully Ours, Rachel’s younger brother, James, loves to play pirates. He’s found placing X’s in undesirable places, walking makeshift planks, and brandishing a play sword. Of course, a real pirate, more or less, turns up later in the story, intent on thievery.
What do you think is the romanticized historical pirates’ appeal, despite their criminal history?
Johnny Depp has, of course, re-romanticized the pirate, but it is a fascination we’ve had for centuries. Maybe it’s the fact they do what they want? They live for adventure? They get to swab the poop deck!
Ah, the poop deck. Who doesn’t love a poop deck?
Pirates represent the unbridled search for adventure and life on your own terms!
Yes! It allows us to overlook their poor diet and hygiene.
I agree with Geraint’s comment about Johnny Depp’s contribution to the pirate romanticism. However, I think there is lots that is built into the big picture: adventures, adventures on the high seas, treasure, mystery, outlaw, that bad boy image of rough, tough, fearless, and powerful, dark heroes, as well as the history that comes built into pirate. They are fascinating. Are pirates an archetype, do you think?
Stopping by from A to Z: P for Princesses
Shari
Yes – the pirate has all of those alluring characteristics made “safe,” I think, by the distance of time and some flashy accessories.
Free to roam, a code of their own, I think that helps to make pirates appealing. I’d adore to live out my life with Capt. Jack Sparrow.
?Perspectives at Life & Faith in Caneyhead
Life with Capt. Jack Sparrow would not be dull! Johnny Depp really pulled of making such an eccentric “hero” attractive.
I think it’s the piratical attitude of raising a middle finger to the Establishment that makes them feel so romantic. We all love a rebel who doesn’t feel constrained by the Rules.
Her Grace, Heidi from Romance Spinners
Yes, there’s a certain appeal to that attitude! We all want to be free of constraints sometimes.
The swash, the buckle, the heart of gold hidden in a treasure chest (or under a tough exterior take your pick). What’s not to like? And who doesn’t like brandishing a sword?
Seriously. My 4-year-old was roaming the house looking for a sword the other night to battle his siblings and their light sabers.
I’ve never understood why the pirate thing is so romanticized. Perhaps old movies contributed to our modern take on them too. Errol Flynn, swashbuckling, long sleeved lacy and ruffled shirts, lol, are surely all contributing factors. 🙂
My “theme” – A Thirty-Word Story, revealing one word of the story each day of the challenge.
#AtoZChallenge The Letter S
I think movies had a lot to do with it!