What is it about the princesses that influence society so fundamentally? Is it their sweet charm, long locks, love to bake and clean or harmonious voices? Each of the Disney Princesses portray the idea of the perfect women. I will be focusing on Rapunzel, Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Jasmine, Belle, Ariel, and Mulan.
My idea is that the representation of Disney Princesses gives young girls in today's society the idea of what the perfect women is.
Disney has created wonderful and memorable princesses who inspire. They are fictional role models for younger girls.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
The eleven current Disney Princesses
(From left to right)
Jasmie, Rapunzel, Snow White, Mulan, Aurora, Cinderella, Pocahontas, Tiana, Belle, Ariel & Merida.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Rapunzels everyday life
Lyrics:
7 AM, the usual morning lineup
Start on the chores and sweep 'til the floor's all clean
Polish and wax, do laundry, and mop and shine up
Sweep again, and by then it's like 7:15
And so I'll read a book
Or maybe two or three
I'll add a few new paintings to my gallery
I'll play guitar and knit
And cook and basically
Just wonder when will my life begin?
Then after lunch it's puzzles and darts and baking
Paper mache, a bit of ballet and chess
Pottery and ventriloquy, candle making
Then I'll stretch, maybe sketch, take a climb
Sew a dress!
And I'll reread the books
If I have time to spare
I'll paint the walls some more
I'm sure there's room somewhere
And then I'll brush and brush
and brush and brush my hair
Stuck in the same place I've always been
And I'll keep wanderin' and wanderin'
And wanderin' and wonderin'
When will my life begin?
And tomorrow night
Lights will appear
Just like they do on my birthday each year
What is it like
Out there where they glow?
Now that I'm older
Mother might just
Let me go...
7 AM, the usual morning lineup
Start on the chores and sweep 'til the floor's all clean
Polish and wax, do laundry, and mop and shine up
Sweep again, and by then it's like 7:15
And so I'll read a book
Or maybe two or three
I'll add a few new paintings to my gallery
I'll play guitar and knit
And cook and basically
Just wonder when will my life begin?
Then after lunch it's puzzles and darts and baking
Paper mache, a bit of ballet and chess
Pottery and ventriloquy, candle making
Then I'll stretch, maybe sketch, take a climb
Sew a dress!
And I'll reread the books
If I have time to spare
I'll paint the walls some more
I'm sure there's room somewhere
And then I'll brush and brush
and brush and brush my hair
Stuck in the same place I've always been
And I'll keep wanderin' and wanderin'
And wanderin' and wonderin'
When will my life begin?
And tomorrow night
Lights will appear
Just like they do on my birthday each year
What is it like
Out there where they glow?
Now that I'm older
Mother might just
Let me go...
Sunday, September 22, 2013
The lyrics of the song "When Will My Life Begin" sung by Rapunzel give a viviid image of house hold chores, working out, recreational hobbies and baking. This gives the younger viewers the idea that to be just like the beautiful bubbly Rapunzel they must do chores, workout, have a long list of hobbies (like barbie) and also bake. This idea of the perfect innocent girl who lives for adventure is highly relatable for all younger viewers as children have a highly creative imagination and strong will for adventure. SO by creating a character relatable draws the audience in, leaving the viewers with the impression of what the perfect women is like. As this film is targeted at younger girls it gives them opportunities to grow in a way with similar hobbies and ideas influenced by Rapunzel.
Rapunzel is a fictional role model yet some of the things she portrays and sings in this song give a unjust look on feminism. Who says that all women clean in the morning? That everyday women have time to read three books in a day, bake twice then followed by 15 hobbies. Not every women is a house wife, and most housewives wouldnt even have time to complete the long list Rapunzel does.
Though saying that, it is great of Disney to have created a long list of hobbies which Rapunzel enjoys. This gives young girls more ideas of things to do. Yet it is done in a manipulative manner. As if one girl enjoys chess and realises Rapunzel does then BAM theres another connection. By creating a variety of hobbies Rapunzel enjoys Disney has given their audience more to relate to! If more girls relate to the film then they will become more interested and take in everything they see.
This is where the idea of unjust feminism comes from. Many of the other things seen in Rapunzel are very unreal, like her hair. Who says that all beautiful women must have long hair? Rapunzel sure does. And yet she keeps it constantly shiny and perfect. The unjust ideas seen throughout the film are acted out in society by these younger viewers as they grow. This is how the absorption of Disney Princesses becomes a part of society.
Rapunzel is a fictional role model yet some of the things she portrays and sings in this song give a unjust look on feminism. Who says that all women clean in the morning? That everyday women have time to read three books in a day, bake twice then followed by 15 hobbies. Not every women is a house wife, and most housewives wouldnt even have time to complete the long list Rapunzel does.
Though saying that, it is great of Disney to have created a long list of hobbies which Rapunzel enjoys. This gives young girls more ideas of things to do. Yet it is done in a manipulative manner. As if one girl enjoys chess and realises Rapunzel does then BAM theres another connection. By creating a variety of hobbies Rapunzel enjoys Disney has given their audience more to relate to! If more girls relate to the film then they will become more interested and take in everything they see.
This is where the idea of unjust feminism comes from. Many of the other things seen in Rapunzel are very unreal, like her hair. Who says that all beautiful women must have long hair? Rapunzel sure does. And yet she keeps it constantly shiny and perfect. The unjust ideas seen throughout the film are acted out in society by these younger viewers as they grow. This is how the absorption of Disney Princesses becomes a part of society.
Friday, September 20, 2013
What I like about Rapunzel in the film Tangled is that she is one of the newer princesses and the characterisation has become much more confident and independent. It is seen here where she has her own way of taking care of problems. Disney is evolving into a better role model for younger girls through the princesses. The title of damsal in distress is not used as much on Rapunzel as say Cinderella or Jasmine. By giving Rapunzel the security of using her hair to protect herself she becomes a more indepenent girl. It shows that she has control over herself to an extent (asides being locked inside a tower her entire life).
Rapunzel is being represented as a strong girl in yhis picture. It gives younger girls in society today still the idea of what it takes to be perfect but in a healthier way. Including self defness into the idea of a perfect women is a great characteristic for all younger girls to see and be influenced by.
Yet still while using her long hair in defence Disney has also portrayed that having long hair makes you more beautiful. It is seen throughout almost the entire film till the end when her long beautiful blonde hair is cut in order to save her life. It turns brunette and short. Yet she is still beautiful and lives happily ever after. Has Disney begun to grasp the idea that was portrayed in these princesses is a huge influence on younger girls in society today?
An example of the Disney Princess development is their new addition to the princesses from the film Frozen. Anna will be the 12th edition and is quite clearly further developed into a better role model. She is fearless and goes on a long quest to save her sister bringing along a rugged mountain man to help. This has given Disney a new look of rather having princesses being saved she is the one saving.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Snow White
In the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs the princess is represented as a damsel in distress. This is the only difference and development from the modern day disney princesses who tend to be more of the saviors than damsels in distress. Snow White is seen doing chores, cooking and cleaning. As Snow White is the first disney princess it is obvious that this image has been carried along right through to newer princesses such as Rapunzel. The reason that the chores Snow White does affects society is because the audience watching the Disney Princesses are generally younger girls and as these girls grow the ideas seen from Disney princesses and Snow White are reflected in their lives. This is because they think that to be as beautiful and happy as a Disney Princess they must like all that they like and do.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
For example Desperate housewives portrays life of the "everyday suburban" housewife. She's beautiful, lives in a large home and is happy on the outside yet not always on the inside. By creating problems in the TV show it brings the overly perfect lives of the characters a bit closer to reality making the audience feel like they have more of a connection to the people. This is a way in which Disney Princesses have influenced media and society today. They have raised the expectations of what the perfect women should be like.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Whistle While You Work - Snow White
In this video Snow White sets her animal friends to work so they can all help and be happy. Whats so wrong with this? a. its impossible for animals youve just met to help you with everyday chores as complex as dishes and dusting. b. it is representing that to also be the perfect women like Snow White you must be friends with animals. What is your allergic to animals, frightened by them or simply are not fond of them? does that make you not a perfect women? Not at all. The portrayal of this is clearly represented through Snow White. c. she enjoys every part of it. Singing away while sweeping, wiping, dusting, drying. She is happy to do all of the household chores. As happy as someone would be if they were say in love. This representation of the Disney Princess is also reflected in society. Women whom enjoy to clean and do it simply and effortlessly are seen as perfect women. Not every single person out there enjoys to do each and every chore yet we as a society still enforce the idea that to be the perfect women you must enjoy cleaning and sing while you do it.
This implication demonstrates the change we have had in society and how powerful media really is that it can change the thoughts, views and ideas society has on everything. Now not only is media creating implications on society but society is too creating implications on media. Its a never ending circle which leads to a huge question, where are we heading? If this idea of the perfect women has been created and developed so much over the past century and especially fast in the past decade (years of the Disney Princesses) then what is to be more expected of us women? What will women have to live up to in order to be perfect and will the idea of being perfect become more important to society?
Monday, September 16, 2013
Ecover TV Advert - Feel Good Cleaning
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Cinderella
Moving onto Cinderella. In Cinderella the stereotypical representations of materialism, cleaning, animals and love are seen. Here cinderella's godmother is helping her transform into a beautiful women. This shows materialistic views. The godmother could have helped her stitch up her old dress or sew a new one, but no, she had to give her an entirely new and beautiful (probably expensive) blue sparkling gown. Also a pair of glass slippers. Not to mention turning a pumpkin into a coach. Oh and mice into horses and a coachman.
It is very clear in Cinderella that in order to be beautiful and important and feel good Cinderella had to have all of these items. Otherwise she couldn't go to the ball! What if she had of shown up in a less as dazzling outfit, would the prince still have fallen in love with her? By making Cinderella wear such a beautiful outfit it also gives younger girls the idea that if they wear something beautiful then she will be beautiful. Also not to mention that her glass slipper is a huge symbol of the film. It is the symbol of the Princes undying love for her. Maybe if Cinderella had of worn a more appropriate shoe than a glass one it wouldn't have slipped off, but its all about the look.
Also setting up a romantic story of the prince searching all over the town for the girl with blonde hair whose foot fits a shoe. The quest is ridiculous and it is highly possible that the Prince could have put the shoe on any other blonde girl and it would have fit. This makes the story highly unlikely and unrealistic, giving the younger girls who watch Disney Princesses in todays society the ideas of how to be the perfect women which are all unrealistic.
It is very clear in Cinderella that in order to be beautiful and important and feel good Cinderella had to have all of these items. Otherwise she couldn't go to the ball! What if she had of shown up in a less as dazzling outfit, would the prince still have fallen in love with her? By making Cinderella wear such a beautiful outfit it also gives younger girls the idea that if they wear something beautiful then she will be beautiful. Also not to mention that her glass slipper is a huge symbol of the film. It is the symbol of the Princes undying love for her. Maybe if Cinderella had of worn a more appropriate shoe than a glass one it wouldn't have slipped off, but its all about the look.
Also setting up a romantic story of the prince searching all over the town for the girl with blonde hair whose foot fits a shoe. The quest is ridiculous and it is highly possible that the Prince could have put the shoe on any other blonde girl and it would have fit. This makes the story highly unlikely and unrealistic, giving the younger girls who watch Disney Princesses in todays society the ideas of how to be the perfect women which are all unrealistic.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Cinderella- Singing and Cleaning
Then there is the animals. Not only is Cinderella friends with all of the goods animals and kind to them but she's also not happy with lucifer the evil stepmothers cat. This is portraying that everything the evil villians are and have is not good. That even their pets are not good because they are associated with the evil people. This forces an implication on society that if someone is mean or not a good person to you then everything about them will appear bad. This stereotype is seen throughout society right down to the name of a person. For example if you really like the name Christabelle but then you met a girl who was awfully mean named Christabelle, then that would change your thoughts on the name.
What is portrayed from Cinderella is that in order to be the perfect women you must enjoy cleaning and like all good things and expect the things close to the bad people to be also bad. This is reflected throughout society so strongly that it narrows down racism as well as sexism.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Cinderella - Sewing Mice
In this picture the mice are singing a song of making Cinderella a dress for the ball. During the song the female mouse says to the male mouse "leave the sewing to the women." This is a sexist remark that has made an implication on society just form one simple line of a Disney Princess film. In modern day society all men who even take an interest in fashion and sewing are stereotyped as homosexual. So as younger children watch Cinderella they see these little inputs and take note of who does what and the representation of only women sewing becomes a key idea in society.
As seen here in this advertisment for sewing needles there is an image of four women sewing, smiling and having fun. This is another stereotype which Disney Princesses have implicated in society. It gives an idea for society of the perfect women and what they are meant to do.
Cinderella also has her little animal friends help her out in the morning with doing household chores and even helping wash herself. It is a very unrealistic representation of what the perfect women looks like.
Here is the video of Cinderella in the morning. She wakes up happy and optimistic, a morning person. She sings and all of her animal friends come in to listen. Of course the women mice are with their children and the men waking up with a knotted tail. She then goes on to tidy and wash herself with help from her little animal friends. This is something which could never happen in reality. It is a bad representation of what a perfect women should look like. Happy and alert in the morning, singing right away and making animals do things for her.
This is how Cinderella is represented and the stereotypes which are reflected in society as an idea of what the perfect women would be like which is highly unrealistic and sexist.
As seen here in this advertisment for sewing needles there is an image of four women sewing, smiling and having fun. This is another stereotype which Disney Princesses have implicated in society. It gives an idea for society of the perfect women and what they are meant to do.
Cinderella also has her little animal friends help her out in the morning with doing household chores and even helping wash herself. It is a very unrealistic representation of what the perfect women looks like.
This is how Cinderella is represented and the stereotypes which are reflected in society as an idea of what the perfect women would be like which is highly unrealistic and sexist.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Sleeping Beauty (Aurora)
Sleeping Beauty is known by her long golden locks and the deep sleep she is sent into by the evil Malifecent. The representation of Sleeping Beauty as the perfect women is also full of unrealistic expectations. Shes born a Princess, cursed by the evil fairy Malifecent and sent away to like with three fairys in the woods. In the beginning of the film sleeping beauty is seen singing while cleaning in her little humble cottage on her 16th birthday. The fairies then send her out to pick some berries so that they can get her birthday present ready and warn her not to talk to strangers. While in the woods she sings and talks to animals, dancing around the woods. It is then that the prince hears her voice and falls in love with her. He dances with her for only a few seconds and just like that they are in love. This is setting an unreal expectation of how falling in love may seem. It is not common to fall in love at first sight or sound. The fact that Sleeping Beauty has a love also portrays the idea that all women need men. This is also seen throughout the rest of the disney Princesses, every Princess finds her Prince. This representation also sets an expectation to fall in love and get married in order to be the perfect women. Also considering none of the Princesses have children before they are married, the order in which marriage comes before kids has become a more dominant rule in society.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Chat About Sleeping Beauty
Sleeping Beauty's represented as a happy well mannered girl whom falls in love, into a deep sleep and is woken by true loves first kiss. It is the romance in this film which is a false representation of what the perfect women is like. It is false because it is impossible, well... nearly.
To fall in love at first sight, touch or sound is quite fast paced and quite frankly wrong. It sets a bad example that even though she was told not to talk to strangers, if they are hot then why not? Why not just fall in love without even getting to know each other, not even your names? It is ridiculous and highly unlikely that this kind of moment would ever happen. It sets the expectation to find love highest above all as that is what all of the Princesses wish and dream for.
Just to make it even more important they make the power of true loves first kiss to be so powerful that it can wake someone from a coma. That is impossible. Unless if timing is right by some random chance, then that is not possible to happen. This symbol of power which the kiss has makes a first kiss a big deal. It is what has created the whole"first kiss" phenomenon. It makes little girls believe that their first kiss will be magical.
Sleeping Beauty is seen as the perfect women because of her beautiful singing voice, lips as red as rose, and sunshine gold hair. This representation of the perfect women has an implication on society that if you are good looking then you are perfect. If you have a beautiful singing voice then you are a perfect women. If you are always happy, cleaning, cooking, singing to animals, pretty (even if your a servant or have slept in the woods overnight or your hair has never been shampooed in its life because you've lived under the sea) then you are a perfect women.
These expectations are seen in society and have become a huge part of modern day life. Women are constantly having surgery procedures in order to enhance their bodies to look more beautiful and younger. More women are housewives than men. It is fairly obvious if you think about the amount of times you've heard the term househusbands... On adverts women are always cleaning to happy music, female children are seen in adverts for toy kitchens, laundry rooms etc. The representation of the Disney Princess Sleeping Beauty portraying the perfect women does have an implication on society and does give younger girls the idea of what they should look like and act like in order to be perfect.
To fall in love at first sight, touch or sound is quite fast paced and quite frankly wrong. It sets a bad example that even though she was told not to talk to strangers, if they are hot then why not? Why not just fall in love without even getting to know each other, not even your names? It is ridiculous and highly unlikely that this kind of moment would ever happen. It sets the expectation to find love highest above all as that is what all of the Princesses wish and dream for.
Just to make it even more important they make the power of true loves first kiss to be so powerful that it can wake someone from a coma. That is impossible. Unless if timing is right by some random chance, then that is not possible to happen. This symbol of power which the kiss has makes a first kiss a big deal. It is what has created the whole"first kiss" phenomenon. It makes little girls believe that their first kiss will be magical.
Sleeping Beauty is seen as the perfect women because of her beautiful singing voice, lips as red as rose, and sunshine gold hair. This representation of the perfect women has an implication on society that if you are good looking then you are perfect. If you have a beautiful singing voice then you are a perfect women. If you are always happy, cleaning, cooking, singing to animals, pretty (even if your a servant or have slept in the woods overnight or your hair has never been shampooed in its life because you've lived under the sea) then you are a perfect women.
These expectations are seen in society and have become a huge part of modern day life. Women are constantly having surgery procedures in order to enhance their bodies to look more beautiful and younger. More women are housewives than men. It is fairly obvious if you think about the amount of times you've heard the term househusbands... On adverts women are always cleaning to happy music, female children are seen in adverts for toy kitchens, laundry rooms etc. The representation of the Disney Princess Sleeping Beauty portraying the perfect women does have an implication on society and does give younger girls the idea of what they should look like and act like in order to be perfect.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Interview With The Mother
When I spoke to my mother about how Disney women are portrayed as the perfect women and how it gives young girls in todays society the idea of what to be like she told me "that sounds interesting" and went back to talking to others. But when I told her an implication which it has on society, of how the perfect women is being portrayed as is wrong and sexist, followed by me showing her a glade air freshener commercial and pointing out that its all women till the man comes home from work she instantly realised what is happening and how terrible it is.
Personally I couldn't believe that she hadn't noticed the sexism and portrayal of the perfect women on TV adverts all the time but that was what made me realise that these ideas and stereotypes are snuck into the media we watch. Almost like brainwashing. They are powerful in the most simple form.
Here is an interview with my mum on her thoughts of how women are portrayed in todays society.
Have you ever thought that the way the perfect or ideal women is thought of in todays society is connected to media?
Yes, I think it puts more expectations on women to not only walk but also to keep the house at its best and the children well behaved and looked after.
What is your idea of the perfect women?
Probably someone who is succesful in their job as well as being able to look after their home in an organised way and having time to bring up their children successfully. Well looking all the time, dressed appropriatly for the occasion, never stressed and always under control.
How often do you notice sexism in TV commercials?
Quite often. Not only the women in household ads but also in the beer ads where the men are drinking and relaxing.
What did you think when I pointed out the fact that they were all women in the ad throughout the day till the man got home (supposedly from work)?
I was thinking that they all look like the perfect housewives and the beautifuly clean house with the beautifully dressed women and well behaved children.
Do you think Disney Princesses affect the way the perfect women is thought of?
Maybe. Because they look like they are the perfect women.
How?
They look the same as the women in the ad, they are beautiful groomed and talented.
Do you think that, as the target audience of Disney Princess films is younger girls, these girls grow up with the idea of how to be a perfect women just like say Cinderella?
Perhaps, I think they could grow up wanting to be beautiful and perfect like a princess and wanting to be treated like a princess.
Do you agree with the way women are portrayed in Disney Princess films?
Even though they are portrayed as beautiful and talented they are also portrayed as weak and needy wanting men to come and save them. Whereas in modern days we need to learn that as women we are strong enough to look after ourselves.
What do you think we can do as a society to help make the idea of the perfect women more even handed?
From school upwards to treat girls as equally as we do boys.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Princess Jasmine - A Breakthrough?
So though Jasmine is still represented as the perfect women by being beautiful, having perfect hair, a thin waist (like all the others) rich, and in love she also has a bit more dignity added in to her personality. Thats the same as the more modern Disney Princesses such as Rapunzel. They are continuously growing into better shaped Princesses to portray a more fair handed idea of the Perfect women in order for society to accept women in more ways.
Jasmine sings "theres so much more i can do" and "I'm more than a peacock princess." This is her way of saying that even though she has money she wants more than fame and fortune in life, she wants to help others and use her knowledge.
This idea is very good of Disney to have done as Jasmines representation sets a great example for younger girls to admire.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Princess Belle - Another Breakthrough!
In the first scene of Beauty and the Beast there are many things to point out in the society portrayed. The fact that the baker man is yelling at his wife to hurry up, showing that he has more power than her, women are taking care of their kids in the streets, men are tripping over things because they were too busy staring at a slender pretty women with a revealing dress on, worst of all two ladies are singing about how strange and distracted Belle is because she is going to the bookshop to buy a book... Also Gaston the stuck up hunk of the town says that Belle is the prettiest girl in town and that he deserves the best so hes going to have her. This gives younger girls watching the Disney Princess film a clear idea that if you want to be like Belle you must be pretty. If you want boys to like you or even to fall in love like all of the Princesses want then you must be pretty.
Belle is represented as a very well brought up girl with kind manners. She is beautiful, has long hair, is great at singing and takes care of her father by doing chores. What separates her from the older Princesses e.g Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty is her love to read books, her independence and also her strong will to stand up for what she wants. When Gaston slumps his dirty old shoes up on her table asking for Belle to marry him she politely declines but as he continues to rudely nag at her she becomes more loudly spoken and defends herself.
The representation of Princess Belle being the perfect women has been developed to a much better and more well rounded role in Beauty and the Beast. What has not changed though is the portrayal of society. So as the younger viewers of the Disney Princesses watch Belle get bullied for reading and thought of in a strange way because she keeps to herself, the ideas that a person who does those things is strange is reflected in society. For example the stereotypical nerd is someone whom keeps to themselves, wears glasses, and reads all the time. So the representation of Belle as the perfect women may be much better but the portrayal of society in the film Beauty and the Beast still needs much more development in order to portray a less judging society and have that as a reflection of our own.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Ariel the little Mermaid
Ariel the little mermaid is also among Princess Jasmine and Belle. The three Princesses began to come out 30 years after the first three (Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty) and they each have a spark of personality or something unique in them. This separates them from the other three unjust representations of the perfect woman.
Ariel is a Princess under the sea who lives in a huge kingdom ruled by her father King Triton. Ariel is beautiful, slender, has long hair, a beautiful voice, loves to sing and play with animals (in her case sea creatures.) What makes her different from the others is her love to escape. She explores behind her fathers back in shipwrecks with her little fishy friends. She's also fascinated by humans. Ariel is represented as the perfect women but there is one thing unrealistic about her appearance. How her hair is naturally fire engine red and yet she has no freckles. Why would they take away her freckles? Is there something wrong with having freckles?
Ariel is very adventurous and so after she rescues prince Eric she decides that all she wants in life is to go on land see Eric because she loves him. Sadly she does a very stupid things. She gives up her voice. Even worse, to the evil Ursula. How Ariel is then represented after she gives up her voice is helpless. She literally has no voice to stand up for her except her friends. She changes herself for a man. This gives younger girls the idea that to fall in love and marry your prince is the most important thing in life. Leaving out the idea that all women can be independent and that no woman needs a man in her life.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Ariel - Part Of Your World
She is a very popular Disney Princess and perhaps the reason for this is because she is so much more relatable and real to the younger audiences watching that they feel more connected to her. She is adventurous and loves to collect things. These are two strong characteristics of younger children. It makes Ariel fun and different. She is a greta representation of the perfect woman asides the mishap where she gives her voice, the one thing she has to stand up for herself, to an evil octopus in order to be with the one she loves.
So the idea that every woman needs a man is still a priotity to the Princesses throughout all of the Disney Princess films yet the characters and societies they live in are developing into more even handed and non judging people.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Mulan
This video is called "Honour To Us All" sung by Mulan's family. This clip is during Mulans makeover as she needs to be changed in order to bring honour to her family. Already the representation of this Disney Princess is that she is not good enough and that to be the perfect women she must change into the perfect idea her family have.
"Primped and polished till you glow with pride" sings her grandmother. Obviously you can not glow with pride until you are well dressed. This idea has an implication on society. In today's society people are much more judgemental and how you are dressed and groomed is a simple way of valuing up a person. It is a further reason as to why aesthetics are very important to many people as some people do follow society and take pride in how they look others simply don't care.
"Wait and see when we're through, boys will gladly go to war for you." Yet another line of what the perfect women is like. A women who is so beautiful that men are willing to risk their lives for her. a. since when is someones life worth the risk just so that they would have the honour of marrying a beautiful woman? and b. all women must be beautiful if they want men. That is the single most important thing seen throughout the Disney Princesses. No matter what they must be beautiful in order to fulfil their main priority of falling in love.
This representation of the perfect women being beautiful is reflected in today's society. This seen through many things such as makeup, models, actresses, cliche groups in school. The more beautiful the girl is the more perfect she is classed by society. Especially in the modelling industry. Where slender, thin waisted, pretty, tall, bubbly girls eat restricted diets and train their bodies to be the look of "perfect." Because that is all they want, to be perfect. In order be chosen to model the girl who is the most desirable will be chosen because she will be desired most by the person who casts the models. This is an example of how the idea that perfect women must be beautiful which is portrayed in all Disney Princess films is reflected in today's society.
"Men want women with good taste, calm, obedient, who work fast paced." What this line is implying is that men have more power than women and that in order to be the perfect women you must obery your man. You must work fast and get the job done (which would probably directed as a chore). It is a sexist remark in the song which is also reflected in todays society. Men appear to be weak if they are not the dominant one in the relationship.
They also sing "and a tiny waist" while winding fabric around her to make her waist thinner. Again representing the perfect women as thin.
"Each a perfect porcelain doll" again another line describing that the perfect women must be as flawless as a porcelain doll. This is an unrealistic expectation as not all women have perfect skin, hair and bodies. The representation of the perfect woman in Mulan sets an unrealistic expectation in society of what the perfect woman looks like. An example today's society reflecting this idea is the large amount of makeup that is sold. Most girls nowadays wear makeup each and every day in order to look more beautiful to be accepted as a good looking person in society.
Monday, September 2, 2013
A Conclusion
In conclusion each of the Disney Princesses do portray an idea such as to be perfect you must have a beautiful voice, long hair, enjoy chores, singing to animals or be a kind person. They are clear representations of the perfect women and represent the idea of the perfect women in many unrealistic, sexist ways. It sets the expectations in today's society very high to be the perfect women. This idea of the perfect women is broadcasted throughout media and can be seen through our everyday lives. Whether its choosing an outfit to wear that men will like not yourself, or having your haircut long not short. Or perhaps even by making the choice to wear makeup you are joining in on society's idea of the perfect women.
The Disney Princesses are developing to have some form of dignity and pride in newer films and also are almost flipping positions with the princes and becoming the saviours rather than the damsels in distress. Either way you look at it Disney is creating much more healthy representations of the perfect women in their Disney Princesses. People who younger girls can look up to and think of them as the perfect women because they are adventurous, enjoy reading books, are well mannered and kind. These are the characteristics we want to see in society. And according to the development which the Disney Princesses have evolved through society and Disney is heading in a better direction when representing the perfect women. Either that or women are beginning to take a stand for their rights and grow more independence. Because we all are beautiful and perfect in unique ways.
This idea has recently been represented through the latest addition to the Disney Princesses, Merida. A very adventurous and self spoken girl. In conclusion Disney Princesses who represent the idea of the perfect women are evolving into well rounded characters.
The Disney Princesses are developing to have some form of dignity and pride in newer films and also are almost flipping positions with the princes and becoming the saviours rather than the damsels in distress. Either way you look at it Disney is creating much more healthy representations of the perfect women in their Disney Princesses. People who younger girls can look up to and think of them as the perfect women because they are adventurous, enjoy reading books, are well mannered and kind. These are the characteristics we want to see in society. And according to the development which the Disney Princesses have evolved through society and Disney is heading in a better direction when representing the perfect women. Either that or women are beginning to take a stand for their rights and grow more independence. Because we all are beautiful and perfect in unique ways.
This idea has recently been represented through the latest addition to the Disney Princesses, Merida. A very adventurous and self spoken girl. In conclusion Disney Princesses who represent the idea of the perfect women are evolving into well rounded characters.
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