Not a Pretty Girl

I am not a pretty girl

Lyrics:

I am not a pretty girl

That is not what I do

I ain't no damsel in distress

And I don't need to be rescued

So put me down, punk

Wouldn't you prefer a maiden fair?

Isn't there a kitten stuck up a tree somewhere?

I am not an angry girl

But it seems like I've got everyone fooled

Every time I say something they find hard to hear

They chalk it up to my anger

And never to their own fear

Imagine you're a girl

Just trying to finally come clean

Knowing full well they'd prefer you were dirty

And smiling

And I am sorry

But I am not a maiden fair

And I am not a kitten stuck up a tree somewhere

And generally, my generation

Wouldn't be caught dead working for the man

And generally I agree with them

Trouble is you gotta have youself

An alternate plan

And I have earned my disillusionment

I have been working all of my life

And I am a patriot

I have been fighting the good fight

And what if there are no damsels in distress

What if I knew that and I called your bluff?

Don't you think every kitten figures out how to get down,

Whether or not you ever show up?

I am not a pretty girl

I don't really want to be a pretty girl

No, I want to be more than a pretty girl.

1. Who created this message?
   As an independent music producer, Ani DiFranco wrote and produced this song.  According to Ani DiFranco’s website, DiFranco is  considered a feminist icon. Her lyrics are often autobiographical and political. Her songs discuss racism, gentrification, sexuality labels and reproductive rights. She has given time and energy to many progressive causes and has performed at benefit concerts and donated to many charities.
   
2. What creative techniques are used to attract my attention?
   DiFranco is pushing back on society’s expectations of women - that they have to be beautiful and nice. One of my favorite lines in this song is

every time i say something they find hard to hear
they chalk it up to my anger
and never to their own fear

DiFranco is a strong, independent artist and she has never been apologetic about her beliefs.

3.How might different people understand this message differently?
DiFranco has received criticism from lots of different people. During a 2019 interview with The Guardian, she said, “It’s so unfortunate that marginalised communities are in competition for the tiny allotment of space society gives them…You have to be queer enough to qualify; people judge each other about who can claim an identity. Here we are listing our labels in order of importance and lining up in the hierarchy of whatever. We lose each other as people. I’m sorry if I’m not what you need me to be in a moment. I can only be me.”

4.What values, lifestyles and points of view are represented in, or omitted from, this message?

Perhaps this message seems intimidating to men who feel as if their role as the protector and provider is being threatened. Another line that I love:

Don't you think every kitten figures out how to get down,
Whether or not you ever show up?

5.Why is this message being sent?

DiFranco sings about topics that are important to her. She is sending the message that women are more than their appearance and that they don’t need to play the damsel in distress role. Women don’t need to be rescued.