Give The Princesses A Voice
When I was in grade school, Wednesdays were always my favorite day of the week. After school, my grandparents would pull up in their shiny, silver Buick, and my sisters and I would clamor in – all chattering about our eventful days.
My grandpa would always stop at the Good Humor store a couple blocks from my house, and each of us would be allowed to pick out a frozen treat. And not just one either – we could always pick out one for later, too.
The best part, however, was the red, overstuffed movie bag. I would delve deep into the confines of the bag, and come out with a Disney classic: Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Mulan, Aladdin. Each movie was a new adventure, and as my Grandpa snored loudly in the corner, I was transported to a land of magical forests, singing silverware, and of course, true love’s kiss.
So yes, like many, Disney was a big part of my childhood. I admired Belle’s puffy yellow dress, and I could sing along to the Under the Sea as well as the next kid.
It wasn’t until high school that I really began to take another look at the “happily ever after” portrayed in the glamorous castles and magical forests.
Disney princesses protrude into almost every aspect of small children’s lives. For Halloween, they can become their idols – they can walk a day in Cinderella’s slippers, or feel the weight of Rapunzel’s long locks. They can watch the movies, scream along to the sing-alongs, read the stories before bed, and decorate their rooms like the glittery castles they see in the movies.
Basically, these beautiful cartoon girls can have a lot of say and influence in young kid’s lives. The only problem: they don’t have a lot to say.
Take Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. Although the whole movie is named after her, her claim to fame seems to be the fact that she sleeps throughout most of the movie. And, of course, her petite figure and pristine skin. Basically, the name says it all.
The Little Mermaid hit the theaters not long after. This time, Ariel has more agency, and the ability to make her own decisions. This movie was deemed a turning point for Disney, as many movies after were coined the Disney Renaissance. As women everywhere flocked to the theaters, they were met with a role model whose voice was actually taken away from her.
Then came Belle, Cinderella, Elsa and Anna, Tiana, and Moana. All grew in their own ways, and as time went on, these princesses became less sleepy. They seemed to find their voices, even among overbearing princes and colossal demigods.
So has Disney come a long way? Has it morphed and grown along with the direction society as a whole is moving? Ultimately, yes. Today, girls can look to Disney princesses as a force to be reckoned with, individuals who do not mind getting their gowns a little dirty. Yet, there is still much work to be done.
Disney classics are still watched and reminisced because of the memories and legacy they hold. Although today I can scoff at the damsel in distress portrayed in most Disney movies, these movies will always remind me of cozy Wednesday afternoons with my grandparents.
Hopefully in the future, Disney will see the writing on the wall and create more characters like Moana, whose strength and determination makes her the true hero in the movie. After all, who really runs the world? (Girls!).