Rue Meta

[elle_white]

 I'm writing some meta I'd promised to do before more of my time is consumed by uni studies.

 

I love that Rue is deconconstructs evil woman tropes. I've talked about this many times before because it's so amazing to me. But when rewatching Princess Tutu, it's clear that Rue subverts negative roles women are often relegated to, even in the early episodes. When Rue's introduced, her character type seems easily identifiable. We've seen it many times before, a beautiful, talented girl who's admired by her peers. A girl who's arrogant and does everything she can to make the leading female character's life hell. She's pretty much defined by her cruelty and pettiness.  

Except, Rue is not a bully. She never goes out of her way to hurt anyone. Yes, Rue might have been blunt towards Anteaterina, but she wasn't being intentionally mean. Rue's always acts puzzled when she's approached on a friendly basis.  While Ahiru and Rue are talking while searching for Mytho, Rue is surprised by  Ahiru's open and informal attitude. Rue points how forward Ahiru is and insists that she refer to her as "Rue-sama," or "Lady Rue" instead. And she confesses to Ahiru that she's never actually talked to another girl on a friendly basis before. Her rudeness comes from a complete lack of social skills, rather than maliciousness. 

Rue is bewildered by Ahiru approaching her with sparkly eyes of adoration and a genuine interest in being her friend. But she is genuinely touched as well. When Ahiru tells Rue she's "like a princess" before the Fire Festival, she pauses and blushes slightly. She hardly fits the typical image of the "mean girl." Rue's "father," repeatedly told her that no one but he and Mytho could ever love her, and even when she's made herself forget about being Raven's daughter; his words are still with her subconsciously. This is why Rue limits her company to Mytho, and why she acts cool and aloof around others. 

However, Rue becomes tentatively curious about a friendship with this girl who unabashedly adores her. When Ahiru is cheerfully suggesting things they could do together, Rue's reaction is basically "but what is the purpose of this? I do not understand the meaning behind this... social interaction thing." However, Rue admits that she "doesn't hate" talking to another girl so casually. And later, Rue asks Ahiru if she is free after class, showing that she wants to try out this friendship thing. But, Rue is still uncertain, and she's starting to feel insecure in her relationship with Mytho now that Princess Tutu is returning the pieces of his heart. Rue is eventually overcome by these insecurities and becomes Princess Kraehe again.

She tries to convince herself that Kraehe is her true identity, and Rue was never real. But there's always a doubt on her mind. She thinks of Ahiru fondly when her father tells her to get Princess Tutu out of the way. And Ahiru is the one who insists that "Rue is still  Rue." Rue ultimately breaks out of the Raven and Drosselmeyer's hold, and chooses the identity she created for herself. But Ahiru helped Rue by always believing in her.  

So Rue was never a terrible person. She was never insulting or belittling to Ahiru as Rue. She is just a socially clueless and insecure girl trying to make her why through relationships, and was deceived into being something she was not. I love Rue for the complicated and fascinating character that breaks down the typical "evil" roles of women in fiction.