Creating the basis for my final project was a little difficult. I knew I wanted to work with Disney because I love everything about Disney and knew it would be a topic I would continue to learn about. After much thought, I realized how different the classic Disney movies were compared to the present and more recent ones. The major difference: the princesses roles. It lead me to want to research more about them, why the change? What impact does it have on children? From there I went into further research and it turned from an editorial to a more reliable research paper. Disney Princesses Today
People classify the typical Disney Princess as a damsel in distress, only able to be saved by her Prince Charming. In the classic movies like Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Aladdin the princesses are portrayed as helpless and powerless and when they are in a dangerous situation, the only solution is to hope their prince will save them. In Sleeping Beauty, Aurora is cast under a spell by a wicked fairy, Maleficant that on Aurora’s sixteenth birthday, she will prick her finger and die. However, Merryweather, one of the good fairies changes the spell in order for her only to be awakened by true loves first kiss (Fanpop.com, 2012). Leaving the fate of a women in the hands of her Prince Charming demonizing women’s reputations in their future. It will cause little girls to believe the only way they will be successful in life is to find their Prince Charming. I know this because I was once a little girl whose dream was to find my Prince Charming because of the overlapping theme portrayed throughout the Disney movies I have watched. However, in the more recent animated Disney movies, women are portrayed a little differently. In the 2012 movie, Brave, the Princess Merida goes against her own values and brings trouble to her country. However, instead of relying on the help of a male, she uses her own archery skills in order to undo the horrible curse. She takes hold and controls her own fate instead of waiting for the help of a fellow male prince. If more princesses were portrayed like Merida, young girls would have a different view on how they should be. Instead of acting like a damsel in distress, they will take hold of their own future instead of waiting for a man. In more of the recent animated Disney movies like Brave, Princess and the Frog, and Tangled, the more modern princesses are more independent and if they have an encounter with a male prince, it is not because they need saving (Fanpop.com, 2013). I think these recent movies, compared to the classics, are better for young girls today. The Disney movies now show a positive outlook on women. In the past, not only in the Disney movies but also in real life, women had to always obey the males. They were not really known for having a good education, job, but being good at cooking and taking care of the family. I really enjoy how movies today the princesses control their own fate. Instead of searching for their “prince charming” they go for their own goals. In Princess and the Frog, Tiana, has a dream of owning her own restaurant. She does not rely on her prince in order to achieve that goal, she worked hard every single day of her life working multiple jobs in order to succeed. It just so happens she falls in love at the same time. :) I hope Disney produces and imagineers create more movies like these so young girls can have a more successful and independent future.
Disney Princesses Today
People classify the typical Disney Princess as a damsel in distress, only able to be saved by her Prince Charming. In the classic movies like Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Aladdin the princesses are portrayed as helpless and powerless and when they are in a dangerous situation, the only solution is to hope their prince will save them.
In Sleeping Beauty, Aurora is cast under a spell by a wicked fairy, Maleficant that on Aurora’s sixteenth birthday, she will prick her finger and die. However, Merryweather, one of the good fairies changes the spell in order for her only to be awakened by true loves first kiss (Fanpop.com, 2012). Leaving the fate of a women in the hands of her Prince Charming demonizing women’s reputations in their future. It will cause little girls to believe the only way they will be successful in life is to find their Prince Charming. I know this because I was once a little girl whose dream was to find my Prince Charming because of the overlapping theme portrayed throughout the Disney movies I have watched.
However, in the more recent animated Disney movies, women are portrayed a little differently. In the 2012 movie, Brave, the Princess Merida goes against her own values and brings trouble to her country. However, instead of relying on the help of a male, she uses her own archery skills in order to undo the horrible curse. She takes hold and controls her own fate instead of waiting for the help of a fellow male prince. If more princesses were portrayed like Merida, young girls would have a different view on how they should be. Instead of acting like a damsel in distress, they will take hold of their own future instead of waiting for a man.
In more of the recent animated Disney movies like Brave, Princess and the Frog, and Tangled, the more modern princesses are more independent and if they have an encounter with a male prince, it is not because they need saving (Fanpop.com, 2013). I think these recent movies, compared to the classics, are better for young girls today. The Disney movies now show a positive outlook on women. In the past, not only in the Disney movies but also in real life, women had to always obey the males. They were not really known for having a good education, job, but being good at cooking and taking care of the family. I really enjoy how movies today the princesses control their own fate. Instead of searching for their “prince charming” they go for their own goals. In Princess and the Frog, Tiana, has a dream of owning her own restaurant. She does not rely on her prince in order to achieve that goal, she worked hard every single day of her life working multiple jobs in order to succeed. It just so happens she falls in love at the same time. :) I hope Disney produces and imagineers create more movies like these so young girls can have a more successful and independent future.