Empty Nest Syndrome Summary

Observing the slight antagonist, the Witch, one could easily say that the relationship between her and Rapunzel is deeply affected by the idea of Rapunzel growing up and leaving; this is empty nest syndrome. The witch states, “I will not share you, but I will show you a world you’ve never seen,” (Lapine) showing the audience that it is a completely one-sided relationship between the two that is an honest but abusive relationship. By that, it is meant that they tell each other their true intentions with negligible effect of getting what they want. Its seemingly that the closer they try to get to what they want the further apart they get from each other. The witch shows at every corner of her story that she loves Rapunzel too much and does not

A few of the characters are being suffocated by their loved ones, in this case though the Witch has taken it to another level. In Empty Nest Syndrome by Samantha Write she says, “You are also likely to have emotions like anger and hostility… The Anger that you face is usually three-fold…you also get situational anger just because the kids have left without turning back.” This explains why the Witch is so hostile when she sees Rapunzel trying to get away from her. Rapunzel just wants to leave and see something new, but the Witch is viewing this act in a more negative connotation. Its unknown how the relationship could have ended but it is safe to say, based on the plot development, that Rapunzel and the Witch could not get along and the Witch was unknowingly suffocating her. Gregory Popcak states, “Figuring out the nature of your relationship with your adult kids can sometimes be tricky. You need to be humble and willing to learn when and how best to relate to them. Let your kids know that you want to stay close, but that you are open to feedback about the best way to accomplish that closeness.” Perhaps if the Witch had taken a more gentler approach, Rapunzel would not have fought against her and possibly could have had a better outcome. In the end the Witch refused to accept Rapunzel’s potential happiness and there was no positive development between the