Disney is best known for their lighthearted fairytales that have the ability to entertain viewers of all ages. The variety of characters, storylines, and culture give everyone the opportunity to connect to the stories and relate to different Disney figures. More specifically, the diverse group of princesses that Disney has created has caught the attention of the public eye. This being said, is there a specific princess tale that can be considered “better” than others? To answer this, here are some factors that need to be taken into account: relatable characterization, recognizable metaphors, and entertaining plots.
To begin, let’s take a look at what princesses can be considered relatable. First up, The Little Mermaid. Ariel is fascinated by all things human and is determined to explore the world above the sea. Her dreams defy her fathers wishes and exemplify personal goals going against what is important to loved ones. Another relatable figure is Pocahontas. She is faced with the tough decision of choosing peace or following her heart, representing feelings of being torn when making important life decisions that will affect others. Mulan, the daughter of a respected war veteran, bravely takes her father’s place in the Chinese army disguised as a male. As she fights in the war and aims to gain the respect of her fellow soldiers, she serves as an example of finding success through criticism of something uncontrollable.
Furthermore, recognizable metaphors have the ability to deepen the meaning of each story and provide useful life lessons. One example of this is seen in Tangled. In this movie, Rapunzel finds herself trapped in her tower, symbolizing feelings of isolation and disconnection from others. Additionally, in The Beauty and the Beast, Belle becomes the prisoner of a cursed beast in his castle. She later ends up falling in love with him, breaking the curse, and being a representation of love softening hard exteriors. Also, in Aladdin, Jasmine has lived a life of confinement and control and yearns to take the reins on her life. The famous magic carpet showcases the freedom that Jasmine feels once she experiences what life is like on her own agenda.
The last point to look at is entertaining plots. Arguably, the Disney princess movies with the most captivating storylines include Tangled, Frozen, and Moana. Tangled follows Rapunzel as she explores the freedom of life outside her tower and makes a shocking discovery that her childhood has been a lie, leading to feelings of confusion and betrayal. The movie ends with her finding out she is the daughter of the king and queen of Corona and getting married to her love interest, Flynn Rider. In Frozen, sisters Elsa and Anna experience the loss of loved ones at a very young age, causing a disconnection between the two. Elsa’s anxiety that she will hurt Anna with her powers causes her to separate herself from the rest of the kingdom, and Anna makes it her goal to rekindle their relationship. The story concludes with the sisters reuniting and Anna “defrosting” Elsa’s heart. Lastly, Moana shows the journey of the Chief’s daughter as she longs to explore the sea and connect with her voyager ancestors. She makes a treacherous trek across the ocean and struggles as she aims to restore the heart of her island. In the end, she is successful and proves to her parents that she is capable of more than they initially believed.
Looking at these standout movies, only one has multiple appearances. Tangled has the ability to utilize metaphors throughout the story, all while having a captivating storyline. So, after analyzing these considerations, Rapunzel is debatably the best Disney princess. Her creative, bubbly personality allows the audience to enjoy the character while they follow along on her adventure. Her optimism ultimately has the ability to inspire and motivate viewers, making her the best Disney princess overall.
Sources:
https://www.mrtoys.com.au/blog/disney-princess-movies-in-order-n355
