Evolution of Disney Princesses

You’d have a tough job finding anyone on Earth who has never heard of Disney. Part of the brilliant filmmaker’s success is down to the stories he chose to animate, which often include princesses. In fact, they’ve become some of the most recognisable and beloved character’s from Disney’s magical world. And for good reason; what girl doesn’t want to be a Disney princess? However, when I think about specific character traits and plot points, it’s clear that they have evolved from 1937 to present day.

If you took a trip in the TARDIS/in the Delorean/with a Time Turner (delete as applicable to fandom) back to pre-World War II, Snow White would have just been introduced to the world as Disney’s first princess. She was beautiful, innocent (helped along by her impossibly high-pitched voice) and to a thirties movie-goer, the image of the perfect girl (note the Magic Mirror’s most famous words). The next princess came along thirteen years later, and this one was presented with just as much likeable innocence and beauty: Cinderella. Like Snow White, she displayed the characteristics of what was thought as the ‘ideal’ woman; she cooked, cleaned, sang with animals (OK, maybe scratch that last one), and acted as mother on occasions. Just nine years after, Disney took on another classic fairy tale: Sleeping Beauty. Aurora had golden blonde hair, dreamed of her very own prince, and interestingly, only appeared for 18 minutes despite being the titular character (I’ll let you draw your own conclusions from that piece of trivia). But thinking about it from a 21st century perspective, were the original three really good role models? After all, they were damsels in distress waiting for their princes to rescue them, all the while playing the housewife.

Two more Disney princesses came about thirty years later. Ariel was a huge step up from the typical young woman of the fifties. Adventurous, ambitious and funny, she has lots of personality, similar to the next beauty in line. Belle remains my favourite princess: she was clever and caring, as well as having her own mind (something that some girls don’t, even to this day). On the downside, the pair of them (still) become objects of beauty… whether it be by taking away her voice, or being idolised by the likes of Gaston (ew).

One jump ahead (you’re super awesome if you get that reference) and we’re in a whole new world (they just keep coming). Jasmine was the first official Disney princess not to be the main character, but that didn’t stop her. She was fiery, stubborn and stood up for herself (“I am not a prize to be won!” 10 points to Agrabah!). Similarly, Pocahontas was brave and full of wisdom. She even managed to teach John Smith important lessons, and, like Belle and Jasmine before her, she was comfortable in her own skin. Even braver, though, was Mulan (I won’t insult your intelligence by going into those obvious reasons). What makes these three take a massive leap forward, however, is that they were the first princesses of different ethnicities (Arabian, Native American and Chinese if you’re interested).

Being a nineties kid, I didn’t grow up with the 21st century princesses. Doesn’t stop me watching them, though (don’t deny it, you loved them too!). Tiana was another breakthrough for Disney (the first black princess) and went even further than the previous princess’ stubbornness. She full on, point blank ignored any mention of love or handsome princes for the majority of her film, and got to her victorious ending by working hard for it (good job, Tiana). Finally, one of the most popular modern Disney classics presented to us a princess who only Mother Gothel can hate (and even her, I’m not certain on). Rapunzel is naïve (understandably because of her upbringing), independent (again, from being stuck in a tower on her own) and her only want is to see her “floating lights”. Overall, one of the most real princesses that Disney has ever produced.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Disney as much as the next person. I grew up with it, and to this day (a 19 year old student) I hold those childhood films close to my heart. Now with an adult perspective, however, I can see the evolution of those ten most famous princesses, and I am positive that those have been for the better. Not to imply that those created in the early Disney years were wrong; for the times, they were simply following social conventions. Neither am I suggesting that the modern ones are perfect, either. Speaking to some of my flatmates about it, it is clear that people have more ideas for inventing characters (a suggestion being with different body shapes), and there is no reason why this won’t happen in the future. Keep those princesses coming, Disney! We love ‘em all!

Why Rose Tyler Is The Best New Who Companion

When it comes to the universe of Doctor Who, everyone has their favourites. When meeting a fellow Whovian, the social convention is to ask and discuss all aspects of the show, and in many cases, you will end up defending your Doctor as faithfully as he defends the Earth. Everyone has their favourite enemy, episode, music (if you’re interested, mine are the Master, ‘The Day of the Doctor’, and ‘The Long Song’), and of course, companion.

Being too young to have watched the classic series’ when they were broadcast, my earliest memory of watching Doctor Who was the episode ‘New Earth’, the opening to David Tennant’s first full series as the wonderfully witty Time Lord. At eleven years old, the fast-paced show was like nothing I’d seen before, and the Doctor was simply a hero to everyone watching. As I continued with the intergalactic adventures every Saturday night, it quickly became clear to me that while the Doctor was every bit the enigmatic wonder, his companion Rose Tyler was just as brilliant. 

With her determination, loyalty and “domestic approach”, Rose (played magnificently by Billie Piper) was the perfect mix of intrepid adventurer and girl-next-door, providing the audience with the eyes through which we watch the show. Yes, she could be jealous at times (notably in ‘School Reunion’, which was not particularly helped by Sarah Jane’s equally derisive remarks), but quite simply, that’s what made her real. After all, wouldn’t you be a little displeased if another woman turned up and diverted David Tennant’s attention away from you? Yep, exactly. Me too.

Speaking of Sarah Jane, Ms Piper must have had a difficult task in bringing to life the companion who would reintroduce Doctor Who to Britain. I’d go as far as to say it was just as tough as Christopher Eccleston’s feat, and Rose Tyler has certainly lived up to my expectations. Going back to ‘Rose’ in series 1 after her tearful exit in ‘Doomsday’ (I’ll come back to that later), I can see why the nation took the character to their hearts. She was open and innocent with a brilliantly argumentative streak that was displayed during her scenes with the Doctor on many occasions. Creating a character who would follow in the footsteps of the greats (Sarah Jane Smith, Leela and Ace to name but a few) is an achievement to be applauded, especially when beginning the new series with an episode entitled as the companion’s name.

There is no doubt in my mind that Billie Piper carried the show through the first two series of the revived BBC classic, her very human portrayal keeping the ratings high even after Eccleston’s beloved ninth Doctor departed the TARDIS. Even after leaving herself, the show continued to run on the very idea of Rose. During series three, she was mentioned in no less than six out of thirteen episodes and returned for three full episodes in series four, as well as her image being used by the Moment in ‘The Day of the Doctor’. Surely this, to an extent, shows how much Billie’s character was loved not only by the nation, but the Doctor himself.

A companion/Doctor relationship was somewhat a new concept aboard the TARDIS when Russell T Davies took the show on. However, I am a believer that Rose was a perfect match for the broken Time Lord, picking him back up, sometimes kicking and screaming, when his memories of the Time War threatened to darken his character (look no further than ‘Dalek’ in series one). For the Doctor, Rose was a beacon of hope and love (much like the Olympic flame in ‘Fear Her’) who brought him out of the shade and gave him faith again, which he confirmed himself in ‘The Satan Pit’ – “I believe in her.” For saving our Doctor, we must love Rose Tyler just as much as he did (or does).

The Doctor’s love for Rose was blazingly obvious throughout the series’, culminating in the heart-breaking finale of series two, ‘Doomsday’ (told you I would come back to it). Even if you didn’t like Rose, the last ten minutes or so must have convinced you that the Doctor truly loved her, or at least pulled on your heartstrings a little. If not, then I’m afraid to say you might be part Dalek… which is OK, because it might just mean that you’re an echo of yourself after jumping into the Doctor’s time stream… which is a whole different companion. Sorry, back on track.

As I was saying, that memorable moment when the Doctor says “Rose Tyler” on Bad Wolf Bay is one of the saddest in the show, even beating Tennant’s regeneration and the Ponds’ departure for me. The only consolation I have when bawling my eyes out over the scene is that I know, eventually, Rose will have her very own Doctor.

Finally, I can’t possibly write anything about Rose Tyler without mentioning Bad Wolf. The end of series one perfectly summarises Rose’s character: her stubbornness and determination, shown as she desperately cries for the TARDIS to take her back to the Gamestation; her bravery, opening the heart of the TARDIS and absorbing the time vortex just to save her Doctor; her concern for her friends, displayed as she brings Captain Jack back to life (accidently forever, although we can’t blame her for wanting that. We wouldn’t have Torchwood if it wasn’t for her); her love for the Doctor, and lastly, his love for her.

While it is blatantly clear that Rose, in my opinion, is the best New Who companion to date, this is not to say that I dislike any of the others. In fact, every constant TARDIS traveller since Rose has been equally likeable (the others in my top three are Captain Jack and Donna), but what Rose Tyler brought to Doctor Who was love, compassion, humanity, a little rebelliousness, and ultimately, the Doctor that we hold close to our hearts.

First Blog.

Hi! I've never done a blog before. Not really sure what I'm doing, but if you're reading this, then thank you!
A bit about me? 
I'm a 19 year old student in my first year of Primary Ed. I do write, but it's FanFiction rather than this sort of thing (LunaRoseDicaprio if you're interested). I am a massive Whovian, Disnerd, Leomaniac, Potterhead & Galaxy Defender, as well as a newly appointed Sherlockian. Expect blogs about these things regularly. In fact, most will be about them. 
I also love watching Alex Day, Carrie Fletcher, Dan Howell & many others on YouTube. 
Ummmm... that's about it, really. 

Thank you for stumbling across my blog, and I hope you enjoy it. My other posts will be better, I promise. With both my hearts. <3 <3