Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson for March 09, 2016

I see this not as a metaphor for fear of progress, and more as an attack on how authority figures will not back down even if they know they’re wrong. Because if the little people won even a single victory, they’d get overly confident, or something, and try to make it happen again. I say it’s just opressive that when the ones in power are wrong, they’re still right because they say so.

But I don’t think Phoebe has actually explained to her parents that Marigold has come up with an alternative and better way of keeping her teeth clean, and even if she did they might not believe her because of the Shield of Boringness, so it’s more about poor communication.

“Human children do not have many chances to rebel.”.Depends on the child. Depends on the family. And (perhaps because of that) not every child feels the need.

Er, define “many”.

She’s in fourth grade. Most of her permanents are in. Only molars left, I believe.

I see.

Hey Phoebe! Would you like to have a high-powered drill going into your mouth and carving at your teeth?.No?.Then brush your teeth.

Would have been funnier had Marigold said: “Human children must not have many chances to rebel,” indicating that she thinks Phoebe’s statement is truly rebellious, rather than the declarative “do not,” which indicates a statement of fact.

If you don’t use the brush, -—————————-———————————————————————————--———— you’ll get the DRILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Third panel, do I see an aura of griminess around Phoebe?