While Disney did manage to stay pretty close to the basic story line, they had to water down many of the details in order to make a more child-friendly film; the enchanting characters, the wicked curse, the actual beauty being laid to rest, her meeting the love of her life, all the way to the defeat of the antagonist differ from the original. Princess Aurora, a.k.a. Briar Rose is the epitome of a Disney princess; she is innocently gorgeous and of course has a choir of animals that follow her every step. Talia, from Basiles’ version, does share similar qualities with Aurora, she is just as beautiful and naïve but lacks the animal entourage and isn’t actually a princess, she is the daughter of a lord. Prince Phillip is the dashing man who steals Auroras’ heart, but Talia captures the eye of King.
For example, Snow White was known for her beauty at such a young age, “The fairest of them all.” Also, the Queen evil as can be and envious of Snow’s beauty. Lastly, the handsome Prince Charming that kisses Show White and they both live happily ever after. However, back then my view of these characters are very different. For instance, Snow White was very beautiful, but it shows that children have to have beauty to get where they want to be in life today, and Snow White marries a man that she barley knows. What does that show children today that when they meet a handsome guy marry them?
* All Disney princesses are known for their flawless beauty and perfect body. Though none of them represent the reality of the human body. Everyone has flaws whereas the Disney Princesses appear to be flawless, this increases the beauty standards for young girls which may lead to self- esteem problems in young girls since they feel they can’t measure up to that high standard. * Each Disney princess, meets her prince, marries him, and then the movie ends with saying they lived “happily ever after”. The movies never shows the problems that come along with marriage and the fact the marriage doesn’t always mean happiness.
In Disney movies many of the women are portrayed as having the perfect figure and always winning the male hero in the end. If you look at all the Disney princesses: Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Ariel and Jasmine, they all have the same characteristics other then hair color. The role model that is portrayed has an hourglass figure, tiny waste, ample bust, big eyes and beautiful flowing hair. They bat their eyes and act demure in order to seduce their prince. They use their sexual wiles to lure their manly man under their spell.
Most Disney princesses have fallen into the role of a dutiful daughter, however Ariel breaks through that category and becomes her own. For example, Ariel signs a document agreeing to have legs for three days and in order to stay that way she must get the prince to fall in love with her. This example is illustrating how Ariel is disobeying her father by turning into a human. Ariel is seen as rebellious. Secondly, many people believe that the little mermaid is sexist because Ariel gave up her voice to be with a man, or did she.
Most people who are familiar with Cinderella have little understanding of the subliminal messages associated and the consequences involved. To many, Cinderella is a harmless story of a young girl who struggles through life, is finally able to achieve her dreams, and lives happily ever after. In reality, the patriarchal gender expectations and rewards associated with Disney’s Cinderella can be damaging to young girls and their self-image. Therefore, in order to render the misogynistic ideologies of these stories invalid, modern pedagogy should be recreated to incorporate potential empowerment for both genders. Most people believe fairy tales to be harmless to a girl’s development, unable to comprehend the reality of the situation: the gender stereotyping involved in these stories can be influential in several ways (Bonds-Raake 232).
From looking at the Native American Cinderella Story told by the Algonquian people to the classic Cinderella story by Charles Perrault it is obvious that the beginning, middle, and end of their tales explain a transformation that many people put hope in to rise to good fortune. Once upon a time in a land far away… Many folktales begin this way but the beginning of a Cinderella story is much more than the setting. In all Cinderella stories the first incident that occurs is always a very sad circumstance. In Oochigeaskw The Rough-Faced Girl told by the Algonquin people it says, “The youngest girl was very small, weak, and often ill: and yet her sisters, especially the elder, treated her cruelly” (639). This sad circumstance affects the poor youngest child and sets her up for failure.
Another Cinderella Story: Critique By: Tabitha Lord ENG 120 July 3, 2013 Everyone everywhere experiences their own Cinderella story. Walt Disney’s version of Cinderella is the one that is most known across the American cultures. It is a story of a girl who locked up but then breaks free and meets her happily ever after. There are many different versions of the Cinderella story and they basically all portray the same theme. The theme is that love and happiness can be found even by those who are less fortunate, those with different backgrounds and those of different nationalities.
The Disney brand and stories are a well-established part of our lives. “Disney's empire has not only become a part of American culture, but has become practically inescapable (Ramos).” The stories are always based around a princess desperately needing to find her prince in order to escape whatever circumstances they are in. It is an unrealistic portrayal of how women are supposed to be. In real life, women need to work hard to get anything they want most and if they have unrealistic views, they are set up for failure. Many argue that there is no harm done since little girls
When I thought of love when I was younger, I would think of Disney characters. In Aladdin, he risked it all for the love of the princess. Cinderella, the prince did whatever it took to find his true love that fit the glass slipper. The Little Mermaid, A mermaid who will give up anything, including her voice to be with her prince charming. The list goes on I thought love was easy, but when I grew up the fantasy stopped.