This is what patriarchal dominance hierarchies have taught is the way to demonstrate power, but as Princess Rhaenys points out, "That girl is the only one holding the kingdom together. She is the only one showing restraint." Sure, there is a part of me that would like to see her smoke those who are abusing her, but acting with restraint and using feminine coded power is not being a victim. This scene from Moana illustrates what I am talk about:
"Te Kā snarls and hurls herself forward, bent on annihilating Moana, while Moana walks calmly toward her, singing. Her belief that she is doing the right thing to help heal Te Fiti (now existing as Te Kā) is the only protection she has. Moana tells Te Fiti, “I know your name. They have stolen the heart from inside you, but this does not define you. This is not who you are. You know who you are!” She leans forward and touches foreheads and noses with the goddess, in a traditional Maori greeting, known as a hongi, which is also a show of unity.
As Moana replaces the heart, Te Fiti is transformed back into herself — the goddess of creation and life. Gone is the demon of lava and fire, and everything she touches springs forth with new growth and greenery. The task that Moana and Maui set out to do is complete, and it was not achieved by force. Instead, it was achieved through feminine power."
Here’s another story I wrote a while back about feminine power:
