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.