Dossier: Disney 02

From Snow to Ice: A Study of the

Progression of Disney Princesses
from 1937 to 2014
By Maegan M. Davis
keywords: Disney, princess, gender roles, femininity, female ideals, girls, independence,
domestic, film history

Introduction previously felt was only within her mind; the danger was an effect
of her emotional state. While on the run from her first dangerous
In a recent study published in 2011, Disney Princess movies were encounter, Snow finds a cottage that belongs to seven men, and she
grouped into three categories: the earlier movies, Snow White and the makes a deal that if she cooks and cleans for the men, they will allow
Seven Dwarfs (Cottrell, Hand, Jackson, Morey, Pearce, and Sharpsteen, her to stay in the cottage. She is almost like a mother figure to the
1937), Cinderella (Geronimi, Jackson, and Luske, 1950), and Sleeping dwarfs, embodying the image of femininity where “femininity is
Beauty (Geronimi, 1959); the middle movies, The Little Mermaid depicted, for example, where happiness and personal satisfaction are
(Clements and Musker, 1989), Beauty and the Beast (Trousdale and found through marriage and motherhood” (Matyas 5). By cooking
Wise, 1991), Aladdin (Clements and Musker, 1992), Pocahontas (Gabriel and cleaning for the men, Snow White seems to be content with her
and Goldberg, 1995), and Mulan (Bancroft and Cook, 1998); and lifestyle as she waits for her prince to take her to his castle.
the most current film, The Princess and the Frog (Clements and Musker, Through the film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Snow White is
2009) (England 555). Since the publication of the study, Disney faced with multiple instances of danger. The evil queen makes it her
has released two more Princess films, Tangled (Greno and Howard, goal to put an end to Snow White, thus she sends her huntsman to
2010) and Frozen (Buck and Lee, 2013), both falling under the “most kill Snow White. The huntsman raises his dagger for the kill only to
current films” category. Each of these Disney films contains a female have a change of heart when he sees the frightened look upon Snow’s
in the role of a princess; however as we progress from one category face. The huntsman tells Snow to “run away” so he will not have to
to the next, there is a difference in the way each group of princesses put an end to the life of such a helpless young woman. While no one
is portrayed. The princesses of the earlier movies are constantly comes to Snow’s rescue at this point in the story, the huntsman can
depicted as helpless damsels in distress, only able to be saved by the ultimately be viewed as the male character that saves Snow White for
help of their “Prince Charming.” As we move to the middle movies, he decided against the evil queen’s order to kill.
we see a slight change in the way each princess is represented, as they As the film progresses, the dwarfs are the male characters that keep
become somewhat more independent from their male counterparts, Snow White safe from harm. As soon as the dwarfs leave for work,
while the princesses of the most current Disney films have evolved the evil queen – disguised as an old hag – appears in the window of
into strong women who can fend for themselves without the help of a the dwarfs’ cottage. Despite the fact that the dwarfs made sure to tell
man. By looking at various princesses of the early Disney films all the Snow White “don’t let anyone in the house,” she feels pity for the “old
way to the princesses of the latest Disney films, we see that the way lady” and proceeds to let her through the door of the cottage. In this
women have been portrayed as characters has progressed from that
below  Snow White’s prince
of helplessness to independence. woke her with true love’s kiss, and
he takes her back to his castle to
live “happily ever after”
Early Disney films

Snow White, the classic heroine from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,
is the ultimate stereotype of the ideal woman in that “women
are seen as domestic, focused mainly on family and personal
relationships; they are considered highly emotional individuals, less
competent and dependent on their male counterparts for emotional
and financial support” (Matyas 4). After Snow White escapes from
the huntsman, she begins to run through the woods, seeing every
branch as a threatening, monster-like creature. The sky appears dark,
as thunder and lightning strikes the earth while Snow White runs to
find refuge from the danger in which she appears to be. However, as
soon as Snow White feels that she can no longer run, the sky becomes
lighter, and the weather begins to clear, implying that the danger she

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Dossier: Disney 02 From Snow to Ice: A Study of the Progression of Disney Princesses from 1937 to 2014

below  Pocahontas throws herself

between John Smith and her father’s
weapon

scene, Snow White is depicted as very gullible progressive for the female lead, Aurora. As Disney princesses because she is sedentary
and susceptible, for she believes the old hag an infant, the evil witch, Maleficent placed a and asleep for more than half of the movie.
is presenting her with a “magic wishing curse upon Aurora, stating, “before the sun Prince Phillip, Aurora’s true love, has to fight
apple” and ignores the woodland creatures set on her sixteenth birthday, she shall prick his way to the location of Aurora’s slumber
as they try to prevent her from taking a bite. her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel in order to break the curse and wake her.
Later we find Snow “dead” from biting into and die.” In addition to being inflicted with Classic or “early” Disney movies such as
a poisoned apple from the evil queen. The an evil curse, Aurora also receives three gifts Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella,
only way to wake from her death is a first kiss from magic fairies. These gifts are seen as and Sleeping Beauty contain female characters
from her true love, or her prince. blessings as she receives the gift of beauty, in the form of princesses who helplessly
Cinderella is another clear depiction of the the gift of song, and a gift that attempts to find themselves in harm’s way. While the
female ideals presented throughout the early counteract Maleficent’s evil curse – danger imposed upon the princesses is very
Disney Princess films. She faces adversity frightening, ranging anywhere from being
from the moment her father passes away, if through this wicked witch’s trick, a locked away in an attic to the threat of
leaving her in the care, or lack thereof, spindle should your finger prick, a ray of sleeping death, the princesses react the same
of her stepmother and three stepsisters. hope there still may be in this, the gift I way in each one of the films listed above;
Cinderella is forced to cater to the needs and give to thee. Not in death, but just in sleep, they cower until their prince comes to their
wants of her so-called family, yet Cinderella the faith prophecy you will keep, and from aid. This representation sends a message to
does nothing for herself, and never tries to this slumber shall you wake, where true the viewers that the princesses, or women
improve her standards of living. Cinderella love’s kiss the spell shall break. in general, “are meek, submissive, overly
eventually meets her Prince Charming at the emotional, and reliant on men” (Matyas 10),
Ball, claiming that their love “is what makes While the fairies are rejoiced for weakening as they only find true happiness, stability, and
life divine.” However, once the clock strikes the effects of Maleficent’s curse, the gifts only health upon finding their true love.
midnight, she quickly finds her way back benefit Aurora as long as she finds her true
into the hands of the evil stepmother, leaving love.
her again in the position of the “damsel in Aurora does in fact prick her finger, The middle movies
distress.” Upon discovering that Cinderella immediately falling into a permanent sleep.
is “the one” whom Prince Charming was Because of this, Aurora is absent from the The middle movies, ranging from 1989 to
dancing with at the Ball, the evil stepmother majority of the film. Aurora first appears 1998, mark the beginning of Disney’s initial
locks Cinderella in the attic, making her the at eighteen minutes and seven seconds into transition to a more active representation
victim of cruelty yet again. With the help the 75-minute film, and pricks her finger of the female characters. The princesses of
of a male dog, Bruno, and two male mice, at 51-minutes; however, she only appears the middle movies include Ariel from The
Gus and Jaq, Cinderella is released from the on-screen for a total of seventeen minutes. Little Mermaid, Belle from Beauty and the Beast,
attic, and makes her way back to her Prince This being said, without the help of Prince Jasmine from Aladdin, and Pocahontas and
Charming to live “happily ever after.” Phillip, the story of Sleeping Beauty would Mulan from their eponymous films. Belle,
Sleeping Beauty, while it is the latest of have ended when Aurora pricked her finger. Pocahontas, and Mulan are perhaps the
the early Disney films, is perhaps the least Aurora is the most helpless of all the early most progressive princesses of the middle

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Dossier: Disney 02 Maegan M. Davis

movies for multiple reasons. The princesses more than the life she has led thus far. While gets credited for saving China. Mulan does
of the middle movies start a trend of working being advised to “choose the smoothest not fit the dainty, girly, Disney Princess mold,
together with their male counterparts in course [because it is] steady as a beating for when she was unhappy with the idea of
order to achieve happiness, stability, and drum,” her “dreams extend just beyond her father going to war, she took matters
health as opposed to waiting for the male the river bend” (Pocahontas). Pocahontas into her own hands to change the situation.
lead to prevail individually. longs for adventure, yet she is unsure of the She did not ask for permission from her
Beauty and the Beast is the first of all the outcomes of choosing to go “beyond the parents, nor did she even say goodbye to
Disney Princess films to present a female river bend.” Upon meeting John Smith, them. Mulan simply changed the situation
lead in such a way that she is not helpless. Pocahontas is cautious in approaching him, and went forth with confidence as well as the
Belle is an independent character, as she as she knows that he came from “beyond the knowledge of every possible outcome, good
wants more than her “provincial life” in a river bend” of her dreams. Pocahontas and or bad.
“little town full of little people.” Very early John Smith build a relationship around trust While the early Disney films remained
on, Belle is introduced to the idea of love and teaching, yet Pocahontas’s family is not fairly simple regarding the behavioral
with the male character, Gaston; yet, she is convinced that John Smith can be trusted. characteristics of the princesses and their
quick to turn him down, this being the first The family make plans to kill John Smith inability to save themselves, the middle
instance in which a Disney Princess does not due to their lack of trust in him; however movies are very different. From saving
give in to the thought of love with the first Pocahontas refuses to let that happen. Just family members and love interests in Beauty
male she encounters. Disney Princesses of as Pocahontas’s father raises his weapon to and the Beast and Pocahontas, to being the
the early films quickly fall in love with the strike John Smith, Pocahontas physically young lady to save all of China in Mulan,
first male they meet; however, Belle is simply throws herself upon John Smith, acting as a the middle movies made a large jump in the
disgusted by the idea of having any romantic wall between her father’s weapon and John representation of female characters.
relationship with Gaston. Belle is aware that Smith. When her father sees the desperation
she has the option to make her own decisions and hurt in Pocahontas’s face, he decides to
regarding love, and she does so by rejecting let John Smith live. Pocahontas, very similar The most current films
Gaston despite his many efforts to “woo and to Belle, is the reason for the male lead’s
marry Belle.” survival. If Pocahontas had not put herself in The three most current Disney Princess films
Belle is also progressive in that she takes a position of danger, John Smith would have include The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, and
initiative to save her father as well as the been killed. Frozen (England 555). These films, especially
Beast, instead of expecting another male One way in which Pocahontas is different Tangled and Frozen, highlight the idea that
character to bring her out of her sorrow. from any of the previous Disney Princess women have the ability to achieve their
When Belle’s father does not return from an films is that the ending was not necessarily a dreams without the help of a man. These
inventing convention, Belle goes on a search “happy” one. In previous films, the endings films represent female characters in a way
to find him, eventually coming upon the consist of a marriage or a romantic interest that has never been done by Disney before.
Beast’s enchanted castle, where Belle’s father between the princess and the male lead. Prior to the most current films, Disney
has been taken hostage. Belle then volunteers Pocahontas has the choice to go to England suggested that women need men in order to
to take the place of her father as the hostage with John Smith, but ultimately chooses to succeed in finding love and happiness in their
victim, allowing her father to go back to the forgo her “happily ever after” with John lives. However, the female ideals in the most
comfort of his own home. Belle is the first Smith because she knows she is “need[ed]” current films are much more advanced and
Disney Princess to put the safety and well- at home with the rest of her family. open-minded than those of the early and
being of another individual before her own. Mulan, released in 1998, is the last of the middle films.
However, not only does she do this for her middle movies, and is very progressive for The Princess and the Frog, the first of the
father, but later in the film, Belle sacrifices female characters. For the majority of the most current Disney Princess films, is a story
her reputation and sanity in order to protect film, Mulan is disguised as a male in the of a young woman, Tiana, who dreams of
the Beast. When the villagers proclaim Chinese army, though she is quick to make opening a restaurant in her home of New
that the Beast is a “dangerous monster” the point that “just because [she] look[s] like Orleans, Louisiana. In the first scene of the
Belle stands before them and says that he is a man, doesn’t mean [she has] to smell like film, we see a young Tiana, and her friend
actually “very kind and sweet and gentle.” one.” At the beginning of the film, Mulan Charlotte, hearing the story of “The Frog
Refusing to accept what Belle declares about states the qualities required for a woman to Prince.” After hearing the end of the story,
the Beast, an angry mob of villagers march be considered honorable, including poise, Tiana is very quick to speak her displeasure
to the enchanted castle with plans to “kill the refinement, quietness, and punctuality. at the very thought of kissing a frog, saying,
Beast.” The Beast and Belle learn to respect During the film, Mulan’s actions seem to “there is no way in this whole, wide world
each other throughout the film, and each go against those qualities mentioned above, that I would ever, ever, ever, I mean never
begins to genuinely care for the other. While as she is clumsy, talkative, and often arrives kiss a frog … YUCK!” Charlotte is also very
Gaston and the mob of villagers succeed in late to major events such as her matchmaker quick to rebuttal as she says, “I would do it.
hurting the Beast, it is ultimately Belle’s love appointment. While Mulan wants nothing I would kiss a frog. I would kiss a hundred
and respect that save the Beast from death. more than to bring honor to her family, she frogs if I could marry a prince and be a
Unlike any of the princesses of the early is unable to do so in the traditional female princess.” This exchange of very different
Disney films, Belle saves her father, and her way. When her father is chosen to fight in opinions makes a clear distinction between
love interest, the Beast. the war against the Huns, Mulan decides to the two young girls. It becomes clear that
Pocahontas, another princess of the middle (illegally) represent her family in the army. In even at a young age, Tiana is unwilling to
movies, is very similar to Belle for multiple doing so, Mulan saves the men in her troupe, settle for love, while Charlotte dreams of true
reasons. Much like Belle, Pocahontas wants including the commander, and ultimately love and will go to great lengths to find it.

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Dossier: Disney 02 From Snow to Ice: A Study of the Progression of Disney Princesses from 1937 to 2014

below  Anna sacrifices herself for

the safety of her sister, Elsa

Later, Tiana is shown with her father. The plot of The Princess and the Frog is very unconscious. Rapunzel discovers that Flynn
After Tiana wishes upon an evening star, her reliant on the success and presence of Tiana, is carrying a tiara, the object that Rapunzel
father reminds her, “that ole star can only for her strong will and perseverance was her uses to convince Flynn to help her out of
take you so far. You got to put in some hard initial motivation for finding a way to break the tower. While Flynn Rider does help
work of your own, and then, yeah, you can the spell. Prince Naveen, the male lead, is Rapunzel out of the tower, to the floating
do anything you set your mind to,” setting ultimately the cause of all Tiana’s problems. lights, Rapunzel is the individual with the
the tone that Tiana’s family values hard Prince Naveen, is the reason Tiana is turned power. In a way, Rapunzel manipulates
work and diligence. In the scene immediately into a frog, yet the responsibility of finding Flynn Rider into getting her wish by only
after, an adult Tiana enters her bedroom, a solution is left to Tiana. Tiana works hard agreeing to give him the tiara once the task
appearing exhausted and slightly dirty from throughout the entire course of the film to is completed. While Rapunzel does use
a long night of working at a diner. Tiana fulfill her dream of owning a restaurant as the help of a man in order to achieve her
places her tip money into a can of saved well as saving herself and Prince Naveen dream, she does not necessarily need him.
money and says to herself, “every little penny from eternal “frogdom.” Flynn Rider is more in need, for he needs to
counts.” Tiana has a dream of opening her Tangled, Disney’s version of Rapunzel, reclaim the tiara, only being able to do so if
own restaurant, and knows that from her begins like many previous Disney films in he helps Rapunzel.
hard work she is “almost there.” Through that the lead female, in this case Rapunzel, is Most progressive of all the Disney Princess
a strange twist of fate, Tiana kisses a frog living a blissfully ignorant life in a world of movies, however, is Frozen. Frozen goes against
that actually happens to be the visiting adversity. When we are initially introduced to every traditional Disney Princess movie
Prince Naveen. Her act results in her being Rapunzel, she has never stepped foot outside, formula, even making fun of the previous
transformed into a frog as well. Throughout for she has been locked in a tower by Mother movies through subtle jokes. One major
the course of the film, Tiana refuses the Gothel, the evil witch who acts as Rapunzel’s difference between Frozen and previous
thought of love, and keeps her mind focused mother. Rapunzel is unaware that Mother Disney Princess films is the fact that there
on the idea of owning her own restaurant. Gothel is actually an evil witch, only using are two female leads present, Queen Elsa
However, as Tiana and Prince Naveen Rapunzel for her youthful powers. Rapunzel and Princess Anna. While there are male
continue on their quest of breaking the truly believes that Mother Gothel is her characters, the plot of Frozen revolves around
curse, they begin to care for one another and actual mother, as she often states, “mother the trials and tribulations of Elsa and Anna.
develop feelings for one another, although knows best,” numerous times throughout The men only play small roles, really having
neither wants to be the first to admit it. Upon the film. Mother Gothel keeps Rapunzel nothing to do with the fate of Elsa and Anna.
discovering that the only way to break the very sheltered, for she forbids Rapunzel Another way in which Frozen is the most
spell is a “kiss from a princess,” the two begin from leaving the castle. As Rapunzel gets progressive of all the Disney Princess films
to lose hope and accept their lives as frogs. older, she longs for adventure, often asking has to do with the jokes made about previous
After admitting their true feelings, the two herself, “When will my life begin?” Rapunzel Disney films. Upon being introduced to
were married and shared a kiss, a kiss that gets her chance to begin her life outside Hans, Anna’s first love interest, Elsa states,
broke the curse, for Tiana became a princess of her tower when Flynn Rider, a thief on “you can’t marry a man you just met.” It
the moment she married Prince Naveen. the run, appears at her window. Unlike the should be noted here that Anna and Hans
After breaking the curse and returning to early Disney Princesses, Rapunzel does not met one another and announced their
human form, Tiana was able to open her become smitten by the mysteries and good engagement on the same night. Also, a subtle
own restaurant, using the money she saved looks of Flynn Rider. Instead, Rapunzel is joke about bestiality can be heard during the
from her hard work. frightened by Flynn Rider’s sudden presence, song “Fixer Upper,” as the lyrics are, “his
and hits him with a frying pan, knocking him thing with the reindeer that’s a little outside

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Dossier: Disney 02 Maegan M. Davis

of nature’s laws.” This can be seen as a joke The Little Mermaid. Dir. Ron Clements, John
regarding the relationship shared by Belle Musker. Walt Disney Pictures, Silver Screen
and the Beast, in Beauty and the Beast. Partners IV, 1989. DVD.
All of the reasons above contribute to \
the progressiveness of Frozen, yet, perhaps Matyas, Vanessa, “Tale as Old as Time: A Textual
the most important and influential concept Analysis of Race and Gender in Disney Princess
illustrated in Frozen, is that the bond shared Films” (2010). Graduate Major Research Papers and
between two sisters is, in fact, true love. At Multimedia Projects. Paper 6. Web. 5 May 2014.
the end of the movie, an act of true love <http://digitalcommons.mcmaster.ca/cmst_grad_
is required in order to cure a frozen heart. research/6>.
When Anna sacrifices herself to save Elsa \
from getting struck by a sword, an act of true Mulan. Dir. Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook. Walt
love was performed, ultimately breaking the Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Feature Animation,
curse and curing the frozen heart. Frozen was 1998. DVD.
very shocking to the audience because for \
the first time, not just one, but two Disney Pocahontas. Dir. Mike Gabriel, Eric Goldberg. Walt
Princesses received their “happily ever after” Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Feature Animation,
without the help of a man. For the first time, 1995. DVD.
a man was not necessary for an act of true \
love to occur. The Princess and the Frog. Dir. Ron Clements, John
In conclusion, Disney Princesses have Musker. Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney
come a long way in the past 77 years. From Animation Studios, 2009. DVD.
initially being portrayed as less competent \
than their male counter parts, Disney Sleeping Beauty. Dir. Clyde Geronimi. Walt Disney
Princesses have evolved into very well- Productions, 1959. DVD.
rounded individuals, able to take care of \
themselves without a man’s aid (Matyas 10). Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Dir. William
The princesses of today’s Disney films are Cottrell, David Hand, Wilfred Jackson, Larry
no longer reliant on men to receive an act of Morey, Perce Pearce, and Ben Sharpsteen. Walt
true love (Matyas 10). The Disney Princess Disney Productions, 1937. DVD.
films have progressed with nearly every \
movie, therefore as more films are made, one Tangled. Dir. Nathan Greno, Byron Howard. Walt
can only assume that further progression will Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures.
occur. 2010. DVD.
/end/ \

Works Cited Maegan M. Davis, a Film Studies and

Business double-major at the University
Aladdin. Ron Clements, John Musker. Walt Disney of North Carolina Wilmington, is a rising
Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV, Walt Disney junior, hoping to advance in producing
Feature Animation. 1992. DVD. wildlife documentaries. Maegan’s passions
\ for film and nature started at a very young
Beauty and the Beast. Dir. Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise. age, yet continue to grow every day. Maegan
Walt Disney Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV, hopes that through combining her two
Walt Disney Feature Animation, 1991. DVD. biggest interests, she can influence others to
\ appreciate the beauty and art in the common
Cinderella. Dir. Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, things of life.
and Hamilton Luske. Walt Disney
Productions, 1950. DVD.
\
England, Dawn E., Melissa A. Collier-Meek, and
Melissa A. Collier-Meek. “Gender Role Portrayal
and the Disney Princesses.” Sex Roles 64.7–8 (2011):
555–567. Print.
\
Frozen. Dir. Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee. Walt Disney
Animation Studios , Walt Disney Pictures, 2013.
DVD.
\

52 Film Matters Fall 2014