Jump to content
JWTalk - Jehovah's Witnesses Online Community

Captain Feathersword the Friendly Pirate


Recommended Posts

The granddaughter Loves The Wiggles, a children's show out of Australia.  One of the characters is Captain Feathersword the Friendly Pirate. 

 

When did pirates become cute children's characters?  I know it was before my lifetime because I remember watching cartoons that featured pirates.  Peter Pan has a pirate character.  Treasure Island features pirates. 

 

But when did they become kiddie fodder?  I'm hard pressed imagining that other scum would ever be featured in children's programming. I can't imagine Osama the Friendly Terrorist or Gambino the Friendly Mobster. 

Dance Dancing GIF by The Wiggles

Phillipians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken-of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I suppose the association with pirates changed over the years, from what they originally were, bands of criminals, pillagers, smugglers, rapists and mercenaries... to the more "romantic" association of piracy in fictional settings.

 

The fantasy pirate is about being free of the shackles of a government, being your own man, an adventurer, on the look out for hidden treasures, and sailing the high seas, whilst liberating yourself from the confines of being landlocked in a nation's bounds.

 

In these settings pirates are often the heroes, fighting the corrupt lawman, or.. facing off with "evil pirates". In fantasy, you could say pirates are sometimes seen as the "hippies" of the 1700s, rebelling against tyranny for freedom, even if the historical pirate was just a criminal.

 

So that lends itself to the child friendly pirate, who is all about "let's go treasure hunting kids!".


Edited by EccentricM
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The granddaughter Loves The Wiggles, a children's show out of Australia.  One of the characters is Captain Feathersword the Friendly Pirate. 
 
When did pirates become cute children's characters?  I know it was before my lifetime because I remember watching cartoons that featured pirates.  Peter Pan has a pirate character.  Treasure Island features pirates. 
 
But when did they become kiddie fodder?  I'm hard pressed imagining that other scum would ever be featured in children's programming. I can't imagine Osama the Friendly Terrorist or Gambino the Friendly Mobster. 
200.gif

The pirate in Peter Pan is not a friendly character. He is the stuff of J. M. Barrie’s nightmares, and is used because children, well, like to be scared. Good authors of children’s books and plays know this. Just look at Beatrix Potter’s “cute” stories.

🎵“I have listened to Jesus in these troublesome days,

He lights up my path.

As I hear and obey.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

16 hours ago, Thesauron said:

The pirate in Peter Pan is not a friendly character

Yeah, I get that.  

 

Though I'm still struggling to imagine a gangster or terrorist character in children's programming 

Phillipians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken-of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Shawnster said:

Though I'm still struggling to imagine a gangster or terrorist character in children's programming 

Give it 500 years, and maybe the context will change.

 

Actually, the notion of being a child friendly gangster has already been set on that road. At one time there were child friendly hip-hop shows, ads and characters in children's shows. It was about the attitude and wearing the shades and the outfits, speaking the slang, rapping, but such culture goes back to US street gangs and hoods in many respects.

 

 

That right there is a "child friendly gangster". It's just taking "elements" out of something, but retaining the name or label of which it originally derived.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah, I get that.  
 
Though I'm still struggling to imagine a gangster or terrorist character in children's programming 

True. But historically, thief’s have been used as well. Ghost, witches, magicians, trolls, kidnappers, hunters, anything that might put some chill down a kid’s spine. Terrorists are a modern concept, and using them today probably would not sell. The only successful “child-friendly” terrorist I can think of is Dunham’s “Achmed the Dead Terrorist,” although he’s not used in a fairytale concept.

🎵“I have listened to Jesus in these troublesome days,

He lights up my path.

As I hear and obey.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, Thesauron said:


The only successful “child-friendly” terrorist I can think of is Dunham’s “Achmed the Dead Terrorist,” although he’s not used in a fairytale concept.

Nor is that aimed at a children's audience 

Phillipians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken-of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Join the conversation with your brothers and sisters!


You can post now, and then we will take you to the membership application. If you are already a member, sign in now to post with your existing account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

About JWTalk.net - Jehovah's Witnesses Online Community

Since 2006, JWTalk has proved to be a well-moderated online community for real Jehovah's Witnesses on the web. However, our community is not an official website of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is not endorsed, sponsored, or maintained by any legal entity used by Jehovah's Witnesses. We are a pro-JW community maintained by brothers and sisters around the world. We expect all community members to be active publishers in their congregations, therefore, please do not apply for membership if you are not currently one of Jehovah's Witnesses.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

JWTalk 23.8.11 (changelog)