For over a century Disney has portrayed its princesses in ball gowns, dancing alongside handsome princes. In the past few years Disney has added new female characters that have greatly promoted the image of Disney princesses. From Snow White to Sleeping Beauty, the typical Disney plot has been a princess waiting to be swept off their feet by their prince.
Pocahontas, a Disney princess, began the evolution of Disney movies and changed the perspective of a little girl towards princesses, rather than a tiara and princes. Pocahontas defies her father and chooses her tribe over men.
Moana is another example of the modern day Disney princess- she rejects the role assigned to her by her father but it had nothing to do with marriage, she goes on her own journey to save her people and find herself. She lets no man tell her who she is.
Most Disney princesses weren't portrayed as feminists; however when it came to Merida, the princess who played in the movie Brave, she rebelled against the tradition of being married off to keep peace in her kingdom and questions the conventional gender roles of society by challenging the princes who came to win her hand in marriage at archery. She was quite the opposite of a typical Disney princess. She was a skilled horse rider and sword fighter. She was the first Disney princess to not have a love interest. Her story is unique and focuses on her relationship with her mother.
Similarly Elsa is yet another Disney princess who doesn’t need anyone to save her. In this film she explores her powers and becomes a symbol of self empowerment. Unlike other Disney princesses Elsa was given room to make mistakes and learn from them. She is a strong-willed woman who isn't afraid of male authority.
Movies like Frozen and Brave vividly show Disney princesses in a new light. Thereby challenging the notion of set gender traits and personalities.
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