The Stereotypes Of Disney: Women's Empowerment Movement In Disney

Disney has a history of imagination and innovation, but a change in times also calls for a change in taste. Old classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast all tell tales of a naïve and helpless damsel in distress, who are often saved by their charming princes. Looking back on such characters, one realizes that these iconic characters are the embodiment of everything the women’s empowerment movement is against. A movement that has drastically changed the views on women in the past decade. Today, women are looked upon as strong, independent, and brilliant individuals. And so, Disney decided to take a path similar to the movement’s with their film, Frozen. Frozen defied many of the industry’s previous stereotypes, such as giving

It is in such communities that young girls do not receive the opportunities and attitudes they should in order for them to grow into a strong, independent lifestyle. This is where Frozen and Elsa come in. Elsa’s story while growing up can be an empathetic journey for young viewers. Young girls can relate to her being locked up and kept away from the rest of the world, although to a lower extent. For the very same reason, this empathetic connection continues even when Elsa breaks free of her bonds during the song “Let It Go”, influencing and motivating children to do the same. As Rustad claims, “The whole idea of the song is that she won’t let herself be defined by anyone else’s expectations,” (Rustad 158). Another empathetic impact the story has is with its portrayal of the relationship between Elsa and Anna. “Many viewers have siblings with whom they share a complicated or strained relationship, but very few have had the sort of romance often described in fairy tales” (Rustad 156). The complicated relationship presented in the story is a relatable factor, especially when it comes to young sisters. What these young sisters have not experienced however, are the romantic escapades characters such as Beauty experience in Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont’s version of Beauty and the Beast. Elsa is not the only one however, to break the stereotypes regarding gender roles. Anna’s character may seem out of place due to her awkward and clumsy nature, but these characteristics defy feminine ideals and the expectations of the role of an elegant