Alexey Cruz

Professor Orwig

FIQWS 10105

10-15-24

 

Shrek’s impact

     Speaking honestly, I don’t know much about fairy tales. Personally I’m not too fond of them and I think they’re cliche. But there is one fairy tale that stands out to me. The Dreamworks movie Shrek (2001) has definitely made a significant impact on me. Even though it technically isn’t a fairytale It has the characters and aspects to be considered a fairytale. I first discovered the movie through my dad. Growing up he would buy DVDs for me and my little sister to watch. I remember sitting down in the living room with my sister and spending hours laughing. I would be extremely invested in this movie and when watching it I felt happy and amazed by the movie. And ever since then watching movies with my family has become one of my favorite things to do. I loved the film’s story, and humor, but mainly the messages it presented b/c I can apply them to myself so that I can strive to be a better person. 

     

     I personally believe shrek to be the best fairytale in my opinion. It is unlike other tales b/c the protagonist is an ogre and you wouldn’t expect that. Usually in fairy tales the protagonist is a young prince or princess who acts for good. Instead Shrek is an ugly ogre who is cold, prefers to be a loner, and terrorizes villagers. He feels it is better this way b/c people take one look at him and assume the worst. He would rather threaten and hurt people than let them go near him. Shrek’s initial personality and habit of terrorizing people definitely caught my attention as a kid because it’s unexpected that this guy would be a hero. But in the end Shrek comes out a changed man and teaches me the lesson of maturity. 

 

    Shrek’s lessons on maturity and growth inspired me b/c as a kid I’d cause a lot of trouble and in my eyes I think I caused a lot of pain. When I was around 4-8 years old I would scream at my parents, be selfish with my belongings, call others names, and was disrespectful/ immature in general. I would treat my parents harshly and of course they would punish me, but this only made me angrier. I was an angry kid and so I would take my anger out on others. I was not only careless with others but with myself as well. 

    

    I had a very picky appetite and rarely ate healthy. I also rarely took my vitamins and nutrients seriously. My diet consisted of fast food, non-whole foods, and the occasional fruit. Many years of doing this caught up to me and finally when I was 9 I got seriously sick due to my poor immune system. I spent 2 weeks in a hospital and constantly got tested along with daily blood work. I know now this caused my parents a lot of pain. I know I can’t undo the pain I caused but I still regret ever putting them in the position of seeing their son weak and ill in a hospital bed. I still regret screaming at them as well and all the other hurt I caused. But shrek taught me change is possible, he taught me change is possible the same way he realized he doesn’t have to terrorize people but instead treat himself and others with kindness/ respect. 

 

    I think the last lesson that shrek teaches me is letting people into your life isn’t always a bad thing because you just may find that you needed their company all along. I say this b/c Shrek in the beginning is a loner, who rarely opens up and scares away anybody who gets too close. I relate to this b/c for a long time up until now I have pushed people away in the fear of getting too close. I too struggle to open up b/c I could have a friend who opens up to me but when it’s my turn to open up I stay quiet and find it uncomfortable to share. I feel this way b/c my thinking is that getting too close to people makes you weak. But Shrek teaches me the opposite. He got close to Donkey and Fiona and it made him stronger for the better. He never knew he needed their company until he met them. The same way I am inspired now to let people in my life more because they could be the company I need.

 

    Even though Shrek (2001), doesn’t have your traditional fairy tale protagonist it sure does teach great lessons in my opinion like any great fairy tale should. Shrek has had an enormous impact on me teaching me important lessons that’ll help me grow into a better person like him. He taught me the importance of maturity and that change is possible. I know now that with maturity I can be more respectful and kind to others to bring a more positive impact to others. He also taught me that it’s ok to let others into your life and open up to them. I now know that the people closest to me are those who’ll give me the strength I’ll need to be the better person I know I can be. So I say thank you Shrek.