UnWholly

Drawing on princess-obsessed media, such as the empire of Disney, Shusterman utilizes a princess motif surrounding the main female characters. After Miracolina writes an essay about how she wants her unwound legs to help a girl who was injured in a plane crash learn to tango, Lev says she has a “dancing princess fantasy” (215). Miracolina responds, “My legs have a dancing princess fantasy” (215). This flirtatious exchange utilizes fairytale love stories to signal a romance between inexperienced teens.

The other female-centered story in UnWholly casts Risa as the princess. Like Miracolina’s imaginary princess, Risa is able to walk—to leave her wheelchair—because of unwound parts. When Roberta’s blackmail scheme surrounding Risa’s corrective surgery fails, and Risa gives Proactive Citizenry some unwanted negative media attention, a television producer describes Risa’s actions as “The princess of unwinding bit[ing] the disembodied hand that feeds her!” (363).

Also, Cam thinks of Risa as an “eternally sleeping princess” who he “shall free you from those poisoned brambles that surround your heart. And then you will have no choice but to love me” (228). In his quest for her love, Cam uses fairytale motifs. Rather than the much darker original story of Sleeping Beauty, Cam references a version that resembles the classic Disney film.