At Home Date Night

So, even if you didn't win a copy of my latest favorite movie, you can rent it at Red Box this weekend and plan your own at-home date night.  I wrote a few discussion questions to get you thinking and talking afterward if you find that kind of thing fun.  Rather than go through the whole list, I recommend that you choose a few that interest you.  Or, you could print the list, put the questions in a bowl and take turns picking.  Maybe you'll want to save the questions to kill time on a long car trip or perhaps you'll mull them over alone in the shower or on a run.  It's really up to you.

WARNING:  The questions are spoilers so if you haven't seen the movie, I recommend that you wait to read them until after you do.

Questions for Discussion about Disney's Tangled
by Alice Doyle

#1  At the beginning of the movie, Rapunzel is trapped in a tower both by Mother Gothel and her own sense of duty toward her.  When in your life have you felt imprisoned?  Was your prison of your own or others' making?  How did you feel?  When and how did you break free?

#2  While she is trapped, Rapunzel "waits for life to begin" by teaching herself to do all kinds of things and playing with her friend Pascal.  Have you ever felt like you were just biding time while waiting for the next thing?  How do you spend the times of waiting in your own life?  Are you more patient and trusting, do you chomp at the bit and leap forward at the first opportunity or something else?

#3  It is Rapunzel's dream to "see the lights" that finally inspires her to leave her tower.  What personal dreams have acted as catalysts in your life?  Do you have a dream now that you need to act on?  What can you do this week to take the first step?

#4  One of my favorite scenes in the movie is right after Rapunzel leaves and goes from gleeful to morbidly guilty over what she's done.  The audience, knowing the full story, recognizes her guilt as inappropriate.  Everyone experiences feelings of guilt--both appropriate and inappropriate.  Can you think of an example of each in your own life?  How do you distinguish between the two?

#5  Even after she leaves the tower, Rapunzel continues to be burdened by her "magic golden hair".  It literally weighs on her and holds her back.  Do you have any special gifts or talents that sometimes feel like burdens?

#6  I find the bad guy, Mother Gothel, to be an interesting character.  Despite her wickedness, Rapunzel grows up obeying and even loving her.  In fact, even at the end, Rapunzel reaches out to keep her from falling from the tower window.  Scripture says that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and serve according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  Think of an example of a good that has come from a bad situation or even a bad person in your own life.

After waiting a lifetime, Simeon holds the savior

#7  Rapunzel's parents, the king and queen, persevere year after year in hoping that their daughter will be returned to them.  The lanterns symbolize that hope and, in the end,  are the beacons that guide Rapunzel home.  There are many stories in the bible about God rewarding Hope.  Simeon's story is a favorite of mine.  What does it mean to you to hope for something?  Is Hope an active or passive virtue in your life?


#8  And last but not least--Flynn Rider's story is one of redemption.  He goes from damaged, selfish thief to true hero, laying down his life to save the one he loves.  When he cuts off Rapunzel's hair at the end, he frees not only Rapunzel but himself from the hell of always putting his own interests first.  How has love saved you?  I'm not only speaking of romantic love.  It could be love for any person or Jesus/God Himself.  Is there anything you need to cut out of your life to enable you to love better?


OK--that's enough.  If you have kids and like the movie, I encourage you to adapt some of the questions for them.  They may amaze you with their insights and show you that you don't have to have a long white beard or lots of letters after your name to think deep thoughts.  Having the heart of a child is really much more useful for these kinds of things.

Happy Hump Day mañana!