When I was growing up one of my favorite movies was The Labyrinth. I had a crush on Jennifer Connelly and just loved the adventure that ensued. Jim Henson’s creatures were fantastic. It wasn’t until recently that it suddenly dawned on me that the whole story was about loss and recovery of innocence. If you already knew that then I apologize for putting it out there. However, it was news to me. The story revolves around a teenage girl who is tired of having to baby sit her brother (Toby) and wishes the Goblin King take him away. She is basically caught between those tween years when you are not quite an adult but also expected to put away your toys. (Never…and I mean…NEVER…put away your toys!)
The cool part for the movie goer is that Jareth (The Goblin King) does just that. Now, I’m not equating the stolen innocence to that of rape or molestation or anything like that. It simply is that Sarah’s innocence (Toby) is spirited away by Jareth. I’m not sure it can be even considered “stolen” since in all actuality she did ask him to take Toby away. So in a sense she gave her innocence away. The true battle I believe is when Sarah realizes her mistake and the journey ensues. The journey to recover her lost innocence. Through the adventure Sarah meets several different characters. She gets in arguments. She gets betrayed. She saves and is saved through out the movie. Culminating with a final showdown with Jareth. 
There is speculation that the goblin hordes that Jareth commands are basically other children not so lucky to be rescued.
Essentially, once the time runs out they revert to a goblin and for ever stay with Jareth. Anyway, back to the innocence part. It seems to me that for most of us we are continually giving away our innocence and having that rewarded with betrayal and loss. However, giving away your innocence is not essentially bad unless you stop going to retrieve it. It’s like loving someone with all your heart, being cheated on and then curling into a ball and staying that way forever. What we need to do is start living again. It’s ok to give away your love. Give away your joy.
Give away your innocence. But in the end, if it doesn’t work out, battle your way past the goblin city to the castle of the goblin king and take that shit back. Don’t curl up into a ball, cry and become a goblin. Angry and selfish. Bitter and self loathing. You gave it a try. You gambled and lost. But that’s what all the risk is about. Imagine finding the one true love that sets your soul aflame. They’re out there. You just have to battle a lot of goblins to find them. Some of us have lost our innocence along the way. Through betrayal. Lies. Deceit. The inner child has refused to come out and play. But that is exactly what the enemy wants you to do. Quit. The enemy wants you to give up. Stop caring. Stop trying. Become a goblin. But in the end. The choice is yours…
Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered, I have fought my way here to the castle beyond the Goblin City to take back the child that you have stolen. For my will is as strong as yours, and my kingdom is as great…
YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME
–E–
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