Aladdin (Jasmine)
Whitney: This is a different one because the princess isn’t the main character. It’s a little bit of a twist on a theme, where Aladdin is the one that has the “fairy godmother” and is, in a way, “saved” (or promoted in his station) by his princess. But let’s talk about Jasmine. Jasmine is lonely, kept in the palace with only her father, Jafar, and the tiger for company. She wants to know more and see more. So she goes for it, climbing the palace walls and making her way into the city. She meets someone exciting, who is dreaming of a different life just as she is. She isn’t impressed by princes and riches, but instead is searching for someone who she can have a relationship of equality and love with. Someone who can give her adventures.
Becky: Jasmine was going to be forced into marrying just for the sake of her dad’s comfort, and all she wanted was a marriage of love. When she leaves the palace, she isn’t looking to find someone else to love. She just wants her life! She happens across Aladdin, and they don’t even fall in love. They become friends and allies, and they find a shared background, and perhaps a hint of what could be. But she gives up her disguise to save his life, and basically resigns herself to going back to her old life and the past she left behind. And then, impossibly, Aladdin is alive, and he wants to get to know her better. And let’s give Jasmine the credit, she doesn’t like the man Aladdin pretends to be. But once he is himself, and she finds him out, she also finds herself wanting to know him better, and falling for him. She loves him for who he is. And so does he. Probably the truest love story of the Disney realm.
Whitney: Excellent point. Being yourself is how you will fall in love. And yes, Aladdin comes back at the end and gets rid of Jafar, but Jasmine definitely did her part.
Becky: Jasmine rocks. She's smart, she's brave, and she's got a really good heart. And her dad finally realizes it and lets her marry the man she wants anyway. So everybody wins.
It's interesting, I've always kind of looked down on Jasmine because she wears really revealing clothing. How could she be a good role model for my daughter???! But when I actually think about it, she is Awesome! She's brave, seeks out adventure, is kind, and looks beyond a person's outside appearance. Obviously, I should be learning a lesson from her.
ReplyDeleteI think that's why we've kind of avoided appearance and dress, for the most part. People are not their outside appearance.
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