S1E9 Disney Princesses: Marvelous Mysogyny and Terribly Tragic
- WOMEN OF DOLOR
- Jun 9, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 23, 2020
What do Disney princesses teach young women and men about gender? How do these tropes exclude other genders and orientations? Where did Disney go wrong and how do we make it right?
Can we ever reclaim Disney princesses?
All of the princesses are cisgender and able-bodied. Majority are white.
For BIPOC princesses: how can this representation be seen as harmful? As good?
Snow White
14 years old. Familial abuse.
Kissed by a prince, nonconsensually.
Madonna/whore complex?
What the fuck is up with those seven dwarves?
Cinderella
The Take has this video on Cinderella, explaining that the traits/lessons she holds (kindness, compassion) are not as valued today in young women. Perhaps this speaks to the Strong Female Character trend we’re seeing today.
Treats everyone with kindness, from the mice to her dog.
She also grows up in a home with familial abuse. Ultimately, royalty does save Cinderella but she takes these risks herself. Can we really call Cinderella a damsel in distress?
Aurora
Also saved by a prince. Kissed without consent.
Teaches that it’s okay to be nonconsensually touched as long as you’re in love.
Ariel
16 years old, daughter of King Triton
She’s an archaeologist/anthropologist: she is curious, vaguely scientific, and eager to learn
She is also whiny and self-obsessed. She pursues lust (but then again, she is just 16). Does she really learn anything by the end of the film?
To get a man, you shouldn’t be yourself.
Belle
Jasmine
She fights for autonomy. She is seen as difficult because she continually rejects suitors, until she meets Aladdin.
The movie exoticizes Arab culture. Even positions Jasmine, an underage princess, as a seductress toward Jafar.
What does it mean when brown men are portrayed as liars, thieves, bumbling fools, or evil wizards?
Pocahontas
Mulan
Tiana (The Princess & The Frog)
Arguably, the most underrated soundtrack
Tiana is a hardworking, driven young woman who wants to open her own restaurant
Film examines intersectionality: race, gender, class privilege
First Black Disney Princess
Spends 75% of the film as a frog
Does the film reinforce or subvert gender roles?
Prince Naveen is almost effeminate. Gets to coast on his inheritance until his family disowns him.
Interracial couple
Rapunzel
A renaissance woman: cleans, cooks, bakes, paints, draws, sketches, reads, practices science
You can’t argue that she’s one of the most creative and most educated of the princesses
Curiosity and courage are what define Rapunzel
Film examines toxic relationships, trust, boundaries, freedom
Also: we love Flynn Rider, but he’s 26 to Rapunzel’s 18
What’s up with that large age difference?
First time we really see a contentious mother/daughter relationship
Familial abuse, Rapunzel eventually breaks free
Merida
Does not have a love interest, film focuses on the stress and love between mother and daughter
First princess to not have the stereotypical slim body
She’s brash, impulsive, vaguely gross, and an incredible archer
Sees femininity as dangerous
She has stereotypical male characteristics
What does it say when the Disney heroine fills in the man’s role? Is she truly progressive?
Elsa & Anna
A cool study in mental health and sisterhood
Learning that emotions and self-expression is not weakness; vulnerability is what makes us strong
Elsa learns to open up, Anna learns that she can be who she is proudly
Elsa: queer icon? You can’t tell me this girl’s not gay
Elsa x Honeymaren: I’m a big fan
Elsa bottles her emotions
Moana
Also doesn’t have the slim body
16 and grieving the loss of her grandma
Wants to keep her culture and island intact
Doesn’t have a love interest
Stubborn, curious, compassionate, fiery, determined
RESOURCES:
Why Disney Princesses Persist: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/01/25/researchers-have-discovered-a-major-problem-with-the-little-mermaid-and-other-disney-movies/
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