When someone hears the word “princess” they might think of a beautiful, thin, young woman with no flaws. The early Disney princesses such as Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty come to mind. These princesses looked unrealistic with perfect bodies, depended on men, and were not known for being smart. More recent Disney princesses have more realistic bodies, don't need a man to rescue them, and are intelligent. The Disney company's portrayal of princesses from the 1930's to the 2010's has shown changes in physical characteristics/ethnicity, social relationships with men, and intelligence.
From the first Disney princess, Snow White, to the most recent, Moana, physical characteristics have changed. Earlier princesses from the 1930s to 1950s, like Snow White, Aurora and Cinderella were Caucasian and …show more content…
In The Little Mermaid released in 1989, Ariel went to the sea witch Ursula to ask her how she could meet the prince. Ursula told her, “You have your looks, your pretty face, and don’t underestimate the importance of body language” (Hains). Ursula is telling Ariel that the only thing she needs to get the prince is beauty and sex appeal. The message is beauty is the way to get a man to fall in love with you. In Belle’s village, from Beauty and the Beast released in 1991, everyone noticed how pretty Belle was. In the film, the villagers didn't recognize that she was very smart too (Hains). Gastón pursued her to be his wife because she was pretty, but Belle was not focused on looks or her appearance.
Before Aladdin came out in 1992, all Disney princesses were Caucasian and were portrayed as beautiful women (Juergen). Princess Jasmine in Aladdin was different. She was a strong willed, independent woman who was perceived as an Arabic princess from Saudi Arabia. Although still a beautiful princess, Jasmine was Disney’s breakthrough in
From the first Disney princess, Snow White, to the most recent, Moana, physical characteristics have changed. Earlier princesses from the 1930s to 1950s, like Snow White, Aurora and Cinderella were Caucasian and …show more content…
In The Little Mermaid released in 1989, Ariel went to the sea witch Ursula to ask her how she could meet the prince. Ursula told her, “You have your looks, your pretty face, and don’t underestimate the importance of body language” (Hains). Ursula is telling Ariel that the only thing she needs to get the prince is beauty and sex appeal. The message is beauty is the way to get a man to fall in love with you. In Belle’s village, from Beauty and the Beast released in 1991, everyone noticed how pretty Belle was. In the film, the villagers didn't recognize that she was very smart too (Hains). Gastón pursued her to be his wife because she was pretty, but Belle was not focused on looks or her appearance.
Before Aladdin came out in 1992, all Disney princesses were Caucasian and were portrayed as beautiful women (Juergen). Princess Jasmine in Aladdin was different. She was a strong willed, independent woman who was perceived as an Arabic princess from Saudi Arabia. Although still a beautiful princess, Jasmine was Disney’s breakthrough in