Our Shared Shelf discussion

I recently watched Moana for the first time and, because I'm currently reading this, I noticed how it is FULL of La Que Sabe. Moana not only gets her sagest advice from an old woman (her grandmother), but the story is about Moana learning to trust her own internal instincts and her own voice. She learns the lesson so profoundly, she gets to then instruct others.

I am positive this concept underlies a million stories I've previously been exposed to, but I really appreciated the extra layer I got out of Moana through this book. (I'm in only chapter 3, so I have quite a ways to go, but I love how it's coloring other media in the meantime.)

Anyone else having this experience?

Tori wrote: "I recently watched Moana for the first time and, because I'm currently reading this, I noticed how it is FULL of La Que Sabe. Moana not only gets her sagest advice from an old woman (her grandmothe..."

Not gonna lie, I dance around my kitchen while making meals singing along to the Moana soundtrack at the top of my lungs on a daily basis. That said, I hadn't noticed specifically how WWRWW and the stories within lend themselves to our current media. There is a growing trend, especially within Disney storylines, of reinvigorating previously passive female/woman/feminine characters to be empowered from within, and I love it. And I like to believe that it's not just an external effort toward gender equality, but also an inner recognition of the Wild Woman inside the women who participate in the production and the dissemination of these stories.

I love Moana, and Disney princesses, well it's not really that appropriate to call them princesses but yeah. I love Moana because it doesn't have a romantic plotline and the story was about a young girl trusting her instincts and strengths and revitalizing her culture. As someone from the Austronesian family, I'm so proud of Disney for showing a quite accurate portrayal of our culture. I haven't read this month's book yet, but I quite agree that lately, Disney had been recognizing the Wild Woman inside their heroines and their media reaches a lot all over the world thus helping the movement for gender equality.

That line from Moana where she sang "I am Moana" speaks so much a lot about women empowerment. She knows herself and her identity and she's great role model for young girls and boys to stand on their feet and establish their identity by being themselves.

Wow - great connection! I loved the movie (and I am loving this book). My daughter and I always sing along to the soundtrack. My favorite line is "And the call isn't out there at all it's inside me, it's like the tide, always falling and rising..."
Lin-Manuel Miranda mentioned in an article that Moana sparked his interest in "wayfinding" and mentioned a book: The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World. My next read after this one.
It's interesting the Grandma would tell stories and was called the "village crazy lady" - similar to the archetype mentioned in the WWRWW.

I haven't watched Moana yet, but I strongly believe in believing in that feeling deep inside.

I love this! And I have a 6yo daughter that I'm really excited loves Moana for this very reason.

Since she's just started school we've had to talk about a few things like what to do when someone is being bullied. We've also previously talked about not just following our friends but doing what we know we should do, and how to help the shy kid in class. It's hard! I am not entirely certain what she actually follows, haha. But I guess what I'm doing is trying to guide her inner self and help her listen to that.

I'm currently watching it as I type this. I can totally see the connection!

I haven't been able to get the book yet, but I've seen Moana and the connections you've made have made me even more excited to read!

I love Moana and am on a daily listen to the soundtrack! Myself, my manager and one of the TA's at my school are joining together for a mini book club to discuss these books and cannot wait to get started and buy the book! Especially now, with the connection you lot have been making!

I thought of Moana too! Especially the passage about the doors leading to the Wild Woman and how one of them was indescribable love for the water.