Weak, Initial Argument: Princess
Tiana is the first black, independent, hardworking Disney Princess who, unlike
the other Disney Princess, did not need a prince charming to come and rescue
her.
Did this
develop because she’s black? Does the fact that she is the only Disney Princess
with her own dreams matter?
The Brothers Grimm “The
Frog Prince”
In the original story published by the brothers Grimm, The
princess did not have to kiss the frog. She had to invite him in, let him eat
from her plate, and let him sleep beside her. In the morning he’s a handsome
prince and they fall in love and marry. The moral of the story was about
keeping your word.
·
White dress, and skin: innocence
o
Make dress black, she would be evil and not
innocent anymore. Maybe even seen as the person who turned the prince into a
frog/toad
·
Green: associated with envy,
o
Make frog white he might not be seen as jealous
or as being totally disgusting
·
Frog or toad: hideous, warts, gross, disgusting,
nasty
o
Switch the animal to a dog and it could be seen
as if the princess is scolding the dog for not catching the ball properly
·
Golden ball: Light, playful
What would happen if the princess was Black and it was set
in America hmmmm………
Disney’s The Princess
and the Frog
In this version, Tiana kisses him before she is a princess turning
her into a frog as well. Tiana is independent and hard working. The prince can
barely take care of himself and she has to take care of him on their journey as
they try to figure out how to reverse the evil witch doctor’s magic. Unlike the original story, the prince never does Tiana a real favor i.e. there is no golden ball for him to retrieve. The only thing he does for her is provide her with the title of princess through marrying her. Marrying her turns them back into human because he kisses a "princess".
·
Black princess: attitude, pretty, independent,
not totally innocence
o
Replace her with a white princess and the
meaning still holds
·
Tiana’s facial expression: unsure, slightly
grossed out, confused
o
Replace it with one of delight and might get the
impression that she wants to kiss the frog
·
Frog: disgusting, disease ridden, slimy
o
Replaced with a kitten you might not get the
feel of ooooo this is disgusting
·
Kissy face: ready for a kiss, wants to be turned
back into a prince
o
Replacing the face you would lose the idea of
the scene. How else would you know that he wanted to be kissed
·
Shimmery dress: princess regalia, costume,
o
Replaced with rags might not get the sense that
she could be a princess or might not mistake her for one. Wouldn’t look as
impressive. Would look poor.
·
1920s furniture
o
Switch the setting changes the time period but
still has the same meaning
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ReplyDeleteI have the book if you want to borrow it:)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great argument! You should also include how in the original story it is more about a learned lesson rather than giving empowerment to a character.
People complain about the princess movies that were made when it was normal to depend on men and now it is normal to see more films and princesses with independence and a sense of power.
I like the idea of dependence now falling on the prince/frog in the modern version. The princess is still having to work at receiving whatever end she is looking for by helping the prince/frog, but the frog character isn't a powerful. independent character, and he isn't a frog by choice?? (don't know the original version). The princess definitely comes off more independent, but the ending is still told in a way that ultimately the male prince can resolve (through the efforts of Tiana of course)--why??
ReplyDeleteI did not know these stories, so it is interesting for me that the princess’s skin color changes from original to Disney movie. I think your analysis is really nice! I wonder why the princess does not have to kiss to the frog in the original Grimm story. Do you think there are some relationships between the social histories?
ReplyDelete