In the Defense of Belle

Beauty and the Beast (Belle)

Whitney: First, Belle is brunette with brown eyes. Yay! Second, she improves her mind by extensive reading! Yay! Third, she knows that there is so much more out there than what is available in the town she lives in. She isn’t willing to marry Gaston just because he’s “handsome”. She has a FANTASTIC relationship with her father, so much so that she offers herself as a trade for his life, thinking that she will be trapped in the dungeon of a horrible beast. But because of her kindness, she starts to bring the human side of the Beast out, to show him what kindness can do. And she starts seeing that things aren’t always what they seem.

Becky: I love Belle. I dare anyone to find fault with her. Bold woman, different from her surroundings, yet she stays because she loves her father. She dreams of a great life somewhere else, but she is limited by circumstances and situation. And because she is different, and knows that strength and beauty lie within, she can do the same for others. And when she finds herself falling in love with the Beast, when she realizes how other people see him, she risks her safety and probably her life to try and save him. The only person who saved Belle was a teacup on her father’s invention. Everything else Belle did on her own. She’s an adventurous dreamer with a big heart and fierce loyalty. 

Whitney: Well said. What I get out of Belle is that we should be intelligent, and seek to continue learning. We should love our parents, in spite of their eccentricities, and we should be self sacrificing for the good of others. We should also be kind and stand up for ourselves when we need to. And, again, to make the best out of our situation. I mean, she gets locked up with a Beast that she knows nothing about, and yet she makes friends and is kind, and goes through the effort of trying to get to know the Beast. She gave him hope when he didn’t have any.

Becky: And I'll say it..... THAT LIBRARY.....

In the Defense of Ariel

Whitney: Ariel appeared on the scene 30 years after Sleeping Beauty, and I think is kind of the “turning point” of the newer, “stronger” princesses. But she is still criticized. Mostly for giving up her identity, her body, and her voice (something that women long fought for) for a man she had never spoken to. So, Becky, what are your thoughts on Ariel?

Becky: Ariel is independent. She didn’t want the same things her family wanted, let alone the expectations her father had set for her. She didn’t just dream of another world, of something more, she yearned for it. Secretly and desperately, and she was willing to do anything for it. I think something important to remember is that Ariel was just 16. She’s a teenager, for all her claims of not being a child anymore. She’s short sighted and willful. But she is also good and full of love and energy and hope. She has her heart broken by her father, destroying everything she clung to. She makes a mistake, going to the sea witch for a last ditch attempt to have a chance at what she wants--ultimately, to be human. Yes, Prince Eric is a big part of that, but she also wanted to experience that life and that world. And she didn’t realize what she was giving up until she got there. She had no idea how significant an impact it would have. And then what does she do? She makes the best of it. She loves every minute and soaks it in, despite having no voice and being awkward and ungainly. And I think it needs to be pointed out that she had a voice, despite not being able to speak. She had the ability to communicate everything she hoped for and wanted without speaking a single word. And you know what? Eric knew. He knew she was independent and strong and unlike anyone else he’d ever meant. And she didn’t have to shout at him for him to see that. He wanted her just as she was, despite the fact that she did not have what had initially captivated him, and what everyone under the sea thought her greatest attribute.

Whitney: The thing is, she went for what she wanted. Yes, she made mistakes, but that’s how we learn. And I’d just like to point out that ARIEL saved ERIC. He was going to marry the sea witch, so she jumps in the water (though she couldn’t swim with her legs) and attempts to save him. Then they work together to defeat Ursula after Triton sacrifices himself for his daughter. And speaking of Triton, he made a mistake too. Which helps kids know that everyone is still makes mistakes, even grown ups. And, yes, at the end of the movie, there’s a wedding and a “happily ever after,” but really it’s about Ariel learning to trust herself and go for the things that she wants.

Becky: Brilliantly said. And Ursula has to change her plans because she underestimated Ariel. She intervened herself and literally forced her way into Eric’s path, using Ariel’s voice, all to keep Ariel from that happy ending she would have had, which she did all on her own. WITHOUT her voice. The story is about Ariel breaking free and being true to herself, taking chances, and living her dreams.

In the Defense of Aurora

Becky: Aurora. By many accounts, no one really thinks of anything much of that poor girl. Which is upsetting. It’s not HER fault she was threatened by a sorceress as a baby and the only way the adults and fairies could think to save her was by hiding her away in a forest and not telling her who she really was. But let’s pretend we’re Aurora. She lives in a rough and tumble house with quaint features in the middle of a forest, the only other people she knows the three “aunts” she lives with. So 1) she’s a bit sheltered. Okay, a lot sheltered. 2) She’s bound to be awkward. Social interaction was nill. Unless you count the forest creatures, who are big fans of hers. All of that out there, Aurora sings and dreams of something more. Can you blame the poor girl? And yes, it involves a man. Why? Well, because WHO DOESN’T WANT ROMANCE? She doesn’t want to be alone forever, and honestly, who does? She’s not exactly sitting around and waiting for him to come, she has no idea who she is or that such a man even exists! She’s not complaining about her life, aside from the slightly overbearing but lovable relatives [we all have them, don’t pretend], but she DREAMS. Again, where is the weakness here?

Whitney: And, so maybe she needed a man to save her, but come on, she was practically in a coma. She was put under a spell, forced to prick her finger, and she fell into a sleep that only true love’s kiss can wake her from. Which brings me to something: TRUE LOVE. It’s not like it was just some random person, she wasn’t just kissing every ol’ guy who came into the forest--it was true love. And people who don’t think true love exists is a little too cynical for me.

Becky: The complaint I hear most is that it was too fast. No way it could be true love that fast. Thoughts?

Whitney: Yes okay, one day is really fast to fall in love. We all know this. I don’t believe in love at first sight. But let’s face it, it is a Disney movie. We couldn’t exactly expect kids to sit around for four hours as we watch the more nuanced parts of their relationship. But, at least they talked--unlike a certain someone else we just talked about. I think that we are doing kids a great disservice by saying that they are going to believe everything they see in film. I think that by the time they get to an age where marriage/relationships are a possibility, they will know that love takes more than a day to grow.

Becky: I agree. Can we talk about the fact that Aurora was giving him up? She finds out she’s not only a princess, but already betrothed. And this wasn’t the time period where she could go against that. She was doing what was right, according to her time period and birthright and all the responsibilities associated with that, meeting parents she’d never known about, learning her “aunts” weren’t anything of the sort, and taking up an entire life she’d never wanted. The first interesting guy she’s ever met--the only one, okay--and she’s never going to see him again or have anything she’s dreamed of. And then the bad thing they were trying to save her from happens anyway, and she couldn’t get out of it herself.

Whitney: She didn’t even WANT it.

Becky: At least Prince Philip is an interesting character. Doesn’t want the betrothal, finds a pretty girl with a lovely voice and a way with animals in the forest, tells his dad he’s going to marry her instead, goes to meet her, and....gets kidnapped and put in prison.

Whitney: He’s definitely one of my favorite Disney princes. He actually TALKS.

Becky: Let’s cut the socially awkward and naive princess a break. She’s a dreamer. Why are we faulting her for that? Sleeping curse aside, I think she would have done just fine on her own. Situations arise, and she deals with them. Sort of…. Lesson: Sometimes you CAN’T do it by yourself. And there is nothing wrong with getting a little help from others. And she gets the best prince, so…something was working there.

Becky: But sure, let’s say the princesses are weak and poor examples for girls of today. Because obviously, they have nothing to offer them.

Whitney: Nope. We definitely don’t have to teach girls how to make it through those tough times with the hope that something good will come.

Becky: Nope. Patience is not a virtue anymore, didn’t you get the memo? If you can’t seize the day RIGHT NOW, you are not strong enough, powerful enough, or good enough. If you aren’t bold and brazen and wildly independent, you might as well be wallpaper. And HEAVEN FORBID there is a man to help you through it. If a woman can’t save herself, can’t be enough by herself, then what good is she?

Becky: Honestly, that whole line of thinking is EXACTLY what I DON’T want girls of today to pick up on. Be good and honest and full of hope. Be patient and kind. Be powerful and strong. See the good around you, despite the hard times. Dream of love and better days and changing your situation. Accept help if you need it. None of that will make you weak. And sing while in your hard times. Just a little.

In the Defense of Cinderella

Cinderella

Whitney: I have a special place in my heart for Cinderella. I always say my favorite princess is Belle, but my secret favorite princess is probably Cinderella. When I was a kid, I would pretend to be Cinderella while I was doing my chores. So, I’m a little defensive about her. Of all the early princesses that we will discuss, I think Cinderella is probably the best role model for young girls. She lost both her parents at a young age and is left with a stepmother, who--like the Evil Queen in Snow White--abuses her emotionally and verbally and forces her to become a servant in her family’s home. But Cinderella makes the best of the situation. She gets up early and makes sure the animals are fed, that breakfast is made, the laundry done, the floors mopped, and yet through it all she keeps a sense of humor and sings and remains kind. And when it comes to the ball, she attempts to make it so she can go. I don’t think it’s because of the prince, but because who wouldn’t want to go to a party at a palace? So she gets a dress, though not as fashionable as her step sisters, and gets ready to go. When she is prevented (and her mother’s dress ruined) she finally breaks. And this is where being a good person rewards her. She gets a fairy godmother. Because she stayed good and kind through her hardships, because she worked hard and did all she could to go to the ball, she was rewarded in the end.

Becky: I always wanted that fairy godmother… And I love that Cinderella is just patient and good, despite the horrible situation she is in. I’m sure it wasn’t easy. I feel quite positive she would have liked to complain several times about her step-sisters and stepmother and having to do the tapestries in her own home… But she is making the best of a horrible situation. Where else could she go? She had no one else, and no money of her own, and opportunities were limited. I doubt she even knew what her future held for her. But she didn’t let that get her down. And the prince is a very smart guy, he likes her right away. There had to just be something special about her that he could see at once.

Whitney: And I think it’s important to note that the fairy godmother didn’t change her entire life. After midnight, everything went back to normal and Cinderella had to return home. It was because of Cinderella that the prince wanted to find her. She could have just had to live with her stepmother for the rest of her life otherwise.

Becky: I love that he searched far and wide for her. He knew that she was different, she was special, and okay, yes, we’re dealing with a very fast romantic turnaround, but let’s consider the period the story is set in, and let’s give the Prince a little credit. There was a very good chance he was never going to see her again, never even know her name. But she sparked something in him and he wanted to know more. And let’s also not forget that Cinderella’s stepmother locked her in the tower when she found out about the ball, effectively ruining Cinderella’s one chance at some form of a happy ending. That may be the only time that Cinderella fought back in any way. Because she had a chance to do something else, to be treated well, and to be happy. If she’d had that prospect before, she just might have been every bit the fiery character people wish she was.

Whitney: But I love that her strength was more that she could keep a good attitude through the awfulness of her childhood into her adulthood. That is such an underappreciated kind of strength.

Becky: Cinderella is a soft and gentle woman. Living her life with dignity and optimism despite being in rags and abused. Someone please tell me how that makes her weak in any way. Is it because she, too, needed to be rescued? Sorry, some things you just can’t do by yourself. And she wasn’t simpering around waiting to be saved. She lived her life the best way she could and would have kept on living.

Whitney: Exactly. She didn’t ask to be saved. She asked to go to the ball, to have some fun for once in her life.

Becky: Lucky for her, the Prince didn’t like his situation either. He was looking for something different. And voila! He found it! No dragons to slay in this story. Just the real and more terrifying villain of neglect, abuse, and torment. And the indescribable power of hope, goodness, and quiet strength that no one can take away.

In the Defense of Snow White

Whitney: Okay, Snow White gets a lot of flack. But let’s think about her strengths. She sings (and whistles) while she works, even though she is made a servant in her own home. She also believes that things will get better. When her stepmother orders the huntsman to kill her, her kindness prevents him from doing so. Then she creates a home for the seven dwarfs. In fact, I would even say that they needed her. She brought laughter and music into their home. The animals love her because of her kindness toward them. If we should critique anyone in this movie, I think it should actually be the prince--he creeps on her and then shows up at the end when he should have been there preventing the Evil Queen from killing her in the first place.

Becky: Can we establish the fact that her STEPMOTHER is the villain? Snow White’s father is dead. The woman he married, who SHOULD have been taking care of and loving her, was jealous of her for being pretty and innocent. Are you KIDDING ME??? That woman is crazy! And she treats her like trash! But Snow White can still sing at the wishing well and dream of a prince. Sorry she didn’t dream of an amazing career in accounting on Wall Street, that wasn’t exactly an option for her. Despite the crap she faced in her home, which was a palace, yes, but she was hardly treated like the princess she was BY BIRTHRIGHT, she had hope. What EXACTLY is weak about that?

Becky: And yes, the prince is creepy. Or maybe just socially awkward. Let’s not step on his face because he doesn’t know what to do with a pretty girl by a well singing about love…

Opening Statement

“Once Upon a Time…”

Those words have sparked many a childhood memory, stories and characters and places becoming real and tangible in countless ways. Little girls imagined themselves as the grand princesses sweeping into the ball and being whisked away by the handsome prince to his castle in the sky… Dashing heroes slayed dragons, evil queens and villains met their dastardly end… Animals could speak to them and help clean their rooms--Mom didn’t need to know!--and most of all, magic and fairy godmothers were real!

Or, at least, that’s how it could have been. No little girl is the same, so who knows what magical ideas took root in her imagination?

Let’s take a sec for intros. The two of us are full grown, educated, single, working women. We’re over the age of silly imaginations and have heavy doses of reality in our lives. We’ve been all over the place in our education, travels, work experience, etc. And we’ve got some concerns about what the heck is going on with the little girls of today and the influences that they are facing. In a world of Kardashians and Miley, who are they using as their role models? What influences are they facing? When we were kids, back before cell phones were a thing, we thrived upon stories of lands far away and the tales of those places.

Lately we’ve been seeing a lot about princesses--specifically the Disney princesses and how they are not good role models, how they don’t encourage girls to be strong, and instead set too high an expectation of body image as well as making them think that “Happily Ever After” is an attainable goal. With the new Cinderella movie, these criticisms seem to have just increased. But, we wanted to defend these princesses, for what they are and what they have done for us. Mostly they have taught us that if you are a good person, eventually good things happen to you. Which we believe is true--though we may have to go through hard times first.

We like our strong female characters; our Agent Carters, Buffys, and Black Widows. It’s nice to see women who can kick butt with the best of them. But there are different kinds of strong women--not every strong woman can (or will) take on the bad guy in a physical manner. There are different kinds of women. And we are tired of hearing women talk down about other women who make different decisions than them. This isn’t “going backwards 50 years.” It’s seeing that the things that have changed over the past 50 years means that we get to be who we want to be and make the decisions we want to make.

So, without further ado. The princesses from the animated films.

(We are ignoring all sequels.)