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!
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