Sasha’s Fantasy of Adulthood

April 5, 2022

Sasha, in brown armor, dramatically pushes open a grand set of double doors. Anne is right next to her in her uniform. There are busts of Sasha and Grime, and a red banner with a stylized S, by each door.

Large stuffed animals, a rug, a gilded couch, a painting, a statue of Sasha skateboarding that doubles as a coat rack, a low table, posters, red curtains, more banners.

Smiling, Sasha leads a dazed Anne by the shoulders to a feast catered by a bowing toad in a chef hat: a pile of burgers, French fries and ketchup, pizza, chicken, pie a banana split, fried chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, ice cream.

Sasha brings Anne to Toad Tower and immediately takes her on a tour of the premises, proudly displaying her extravagant-by-Frog-Valley-standards wealth and letting Anne partake in its comforts.

She's thrown around her wealth for Anne's benefit before, threatening to disinvite Maggie from her pool party (120).

Outside their school, Sasha opens one eye knowingly at Maggie, who looks defensive. Anne looks at both of them with a blank expression.

And then there's that time she commits a coup.

In the Newtopian throne room, a smiling Sasha in red armor puts her arms around Marcy (in ranger gear) and Anne (in her uniform and breast plate). She's holding the music box. Marcy looks shocked and upset, while Anne is actively angry at the physical contact.

Close-up of Sasha's eyes widening in surprise as she sits upon the throne.

Incredibly, Sasha expects Anne and Marcy to not only roll over in defeat, but to rule by her side (220). Although she was previously making progress toward a less controlling outlook (219b), she's utterly shocked that Anne responds to the coup by forsaking their friendship (220). I'm guessing that this warped view of reality comes not just from a desire for control, but from some more deeply held belief.

In Toad Tower, Sasha (in her brown armor) puts her feet up on a table, relaxes, and gestures with a self-satisfied smile. A large torch lights the background.

Being a Lieutenant in the Toad Army is a lot of work, but totally rewarding. I get whatever I want, whenever I want. […] I don't have to take sass from anyone or anything. ("My Dope Life As A Battle Queen!")

Sasha doesn't just want to protect, but to provide. Her fantasy of adulthood—Strength tempered with persistence—is that of a breadwinner. She wants to work hard, bring home the bacon, and be rewarded with unconditional obedience and adoration. Accordingly, she expects Anne to be swept off her feet by all the riches of the Tower, and for Anne and Marcy to fall in line once she sits upon a throne.

While breadwinning might have begun as a long-term control tactic (it's harder to leave someone you're financially dependent on), I don't think it's only about control—not anymore, at least. It's become entangled with Sasha's sense of self and self-worth, and it takes Anne's rejection to finally disrupt it.

Credit and thanks to @lapisinfrogjail for introducing me to this idea and much of the evidence.