Guns and (Briar) Roses

Chapter 6 of Peggy Orenstein's 'Cinderella Ate my Daughter'

Orenstein begins the chapter by discussing the effect of violent play on girls and the lack of research into this. It is seen that females just aren't as violent as males - which I believe to be true - but Orenstein also gives notion to the idea that we merely see what we want to see. That we would dismiss girls violence because it doesn't fit with out idea of what a girl should be. But if we truly looked, it's still there. I also found particularly interesting the concept that violent play is only beneficial to a child's development if it really is play, where they control the narratives. However, many modern violent games do not involve the child's imagination, rather simply the children copy the violent tv shows or video games and lack their own dramatic license.

Grimm's Fairytales vs. Gentler Alternatives
Now, many parents may be horrified to read the gruesome Grimm originals to their children, complete with dancing 'til death (Snow White), dismembered feet and pecked out eyes (Cinderella) or suicide (The Little Mermaid). But that may be just what children need. A platform to learn about and cope with their emotions. To recognise the evils in the world, but that those who stand fast will survive. These are, according to 'experts' such as Bettelheim, far more useful than modern stories, such as 'The Paper Bag Princess', which in Oreinstein's words "equate 'pro-girl' with 'anti-boy'". Not to mention that Grimm's version of Cinderella (Aschenputtel) is a story about the woman's strength, about her transition from girl to womanhood and that she  evades both her father and the Prince each night, until she reveals herself in rags to her Prince, as he must accept her past before he may have a future with her. Orenstein read these Grimm versions to her daughter, and found that they did not make Daisy flinch. Daisy accepted the gore, and often paused her mother to ask questions about meanings of words from this tale - e.g. 'asunder'.

Finally, Orenstein explores Twilight, Stephanie Meyer's hit sensation Vampire trilogy. While Orenstein despises the heroin, Bella, who she sees as bland, talentless, uninteresting and as a terrible role model who lives only for her man and constantly reminds him how much better he is than her. She does admit that Bella could also be exactly what girls need. An example that you don't have to be gorgeous, sexual, talented to 'get the man'. You can simply be you. If plan old Bella can do it, so can any girl. There is no pressure to sexualise yourself - Bella simply dresses in jeans and a sweatshirt, so why can't we?



Note: I often refer to the Grimm Fairytales as the originals, though I know these stories did not start here. The Grimm brothers were librarians who were able to write down old tales that had been passed on by mouth for a long time. The Grimm brothers did censor these inappropriate tales so they could be told to children, however they did not remove the violence.....merely things like incest and other sexual content.

The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid (1989) was a big success, but it's also viewed very controversially. Some see it as a real forward, feminist film, while others think it is just the opposite.

The first song Ariel sings, "Part of Your World" is about women being tired of swimming and ready to walk free, which immediately ties in with promoting women's rights and follows the second-wave pseudo-feminist genre of this film.
"I bet on land, they understand,
you don't reprimand your daughters,
bright young women,
sick of swimming,
ready to stand,
and ready to know what the people know,
ask 'em my questions and get some answers"
This is a song about an inquisitive and intelligent woman wanting more in life. She seeks greater opportunities, and adventure, to learn more and to have her curiosities answered. This a positive aspiration and message for girls and big shift in comparison to previous Disney films, where Princesses merely wish for a Prince, not education.

Many critics of this film argue that it gives a terrible message for young girls as Ariel literally gives up her voice for a man. While this is, in part, true, we can't forget that Ariel always had a fascination with the surface world, before she even fell for Eric. The above lyrics from "Part of Your World" show that.

Further to this, Ariel is far more active than previous Princesses and very central to her own story. She saves Eric, when his boat is destroyed in the storm and he is flung into the water. Without Ariel, he would have drowned. So she is a strong and active heroine from the beginning. I also love how her curiosity and adventurous spirit cannot be curbed. Despite her father's many warnings, she often goes to the surface to observe the world above and collect trinkets from her Seagull friend.

Ariel is also playful and deceptive as she keeps escaping Sebastian's watchful eye. For instance as swims away during the "Under the Sea"medley.

Not to mention she is fearless and brave as she ventures into the unknown human world and takes it all in her stride. In the horse and cart, Ariel takes the reins, jumping the gorge, which terrifies Prince Eric. She thoroughly enjoys learning new things as she explores the town, again showing her inquisitive and curious nature.

As Ursula, the sea witch, tricks Ariel into signing her contract, she sings, "yes on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word" hinting at the oppression and inequality woman suffered. However, the story shows that this is, in fact, no longer the case, promising more equality for the young viewers and helping them to believe their voices do matter. This is shown in Eric's frustration that he cannot converse with Ariel, and the bewitching spell Ursula puts on him with Ariel's voice to have him fall in love with her.

So, while many may criticize this film, I believe it does present positive messages, encouraging women to be curious and seek better things in life, as well as showing how important it is not to give up our voices.

Maleficent

I loved this film!

It makes you look at Maleficent in a whole new light. As a strong woman (fairy), who was victimised and doesn't let an evil man walk all over her. Who fiercely protects those she loves and who has a good nature at heart. Who is more than a heroin or a villain.

The 'Dark Prince' and Dream Women: Walt Disney and Mid-Twentieth Century American Feminism

The 'Dark Prince' and Dream Women: Walt Disney and Mid-Twentieth Century American Feminism, Amy M. Davis

In this balanced and well-written scholarly article, Davis seeks to weigh in a considered argument on Walt Disney's view on women, to provide well-reasoned arguments and even out the wild, unproven accusations for Walt's dark side or good-nature. Davis examines Walt's life and work in terms of his relationship with and attitudes towards women to determine how Walt's personal views may differ from that of his studio as a whole and from the films it produces, while also putting into context the views of American society as a whole during this time period. All of this is done with the hope of finding a clearer understanding of the sexism found in Disney's films. In my personal opinion, this article achieves it's goal in clarifying that Walt Disney was neither the innocent 'Uncle Walt' nor the notorious 'Hollywood Dark Prince' he had been labelled as, yet he was a complex and intelligent man, who's greatest care was for his work. 

Dick Huemer, a long-time Disney studio employee, claimed that Walt's "first consideration was what a person could contribute to the studio or the product...I think he would have used the Devil himself if he was a great animator". Walt had to defend his advanced employment of women to the other workers, explaining that "girl artists have the right to expect the same chances for advancement as men, and I honestly believe that they may eventually contribute something to this business that men never would or could." Walt wanted what was best for Disney, and recognised that women played an important role in this. Many people attest that it was simply "talent that was important" to Walt, not gender, race or religion.  

The big question is, where do Walt's personal views differ from the views presented in the Disney films produced? Walt is often personally accused of sexist views, but there is little evidence against him as a person. While employees have nothing to say against Walt, they claim many of his executives held sexist views, and we can't ignore the more sexist views held generally acceptable at the time. So this is easily where the views in the films can come from. Walt acknowledged the differences in men and women, but did not use these to argue women were inferior. Quite the contrary, he believed that women were needed to balance out men. That their greater imaginations could do things for animation no male work force could. That their deep-emotional maturity allowed women to connect with their inner-child without acting child-like and therefore made them the target audience of Disney in Walt's eyes. Walt worked with women as artistic and intellectual equals, valuing only what they could contribute to his company and therefore being more than prepared to listen to women as he believed they had something worthwhile to contribute to a discussion. 

Despite Walt's progressive views of women in the work-force, he was guilty of generalising and stereotyping women in conjunction with gender norms of the time. For instance, that women were emotional, domestic, maternal, beauty and romance oriented, softer, quieter and more delicate. All of which was evident in his films. Take dear Snow White, for instance, is the perfect model of a domestic goddess. She ticks every one of these stereotypes. She is emotional, crying in the forest and immediately apologising to the animals for being so emotional. She cooks and cleans the cottage, mothering the Dwarves. She is beautiful and romantic, pining for her Prince. She is soft, quiet and delicate, with a sweet voice and gentle nature. Disney's first Princess is the epitome of the female gender. 

Davis puts forward the interesting view that by the time Cinderella was released, really only the second female protagonist Disney film, the 'typical' Disney heroin had already been branded. This shows the early judgement of the Disney franchise and perhaps only shows that these characters did quite accurately reflect the 'typical American girl' at the time, contextualising these old films. 

In this article, Davis is mainly conversing with Disney's critics, such as Marc Eliot and Lynda Haas, (though occasionally his fanatics too). She seeks to provide evidential proof that their claims against him are unjustified and false, based on little or no evidence that lacks scholarly credibility. Some claims that Disney was sexist may simply come from his awkwardness around women. Though, in truth, Disney had little experience with women, other than family members, and that which he did have left him fearful and broken hearted. From the terrors of venereal disease in France, to his high-school sweetheart marrying another man while he was away with the Red Cross. This lead to the generalisation of his attitude towards women as respectful, "but mixed with a touch of suspicion". Yet Walt also associated his female family members with security. Walt's contradictory views of women as love and goodness as well as danger and duplicity can be seen in Disney's films, but does also reflect the wider views of women at the time. 

Davis is far more supporting of Walt than the other voices in this conversation, and I view this piece as a defense of his character, seeking to out the truths and dispel the rumours. There is no doubt that Davis regards Walt highly as at the end of her introduction she describes him as not only as "intelligent, talented, complex" but also as the founder of "one of the most important studios in the history of the Hollywood film industry". 

Cinderella: Live Action Movie

This live action version of Cinderella remains truer to Grimm's version than the previous Disney animation, yet still keeps the same Disney sparkle and child-friendly appeal. Overall, I really enjoyed this film.

The all star cast only goes to show that everyone's ready to jump in when Disney's involved!

Like Grimm's story, the first branch to brush against her father's shoulder is brought to Cinderella as a present. Though in this version, her father dies, and never treats her cruelly. Truer to the old tales, she also now sleeps by the hearth for warmth at night, which is how she is given her name, 'Cinderella'. Though, keeping Disney's innocent magic alive, there are no dismembered feet or pecked out eyes in this rendition.... though surely this doesn't look comfortable! 

Ella: Us girls must look out for one another 

kindness is free, love is free

have courage and be kind

These quotes from (Cinder)Ella in the movie promote kindness and a collaborative nature, particularly between women. And when she says "the greatest risk we can take, to be seen as we truly are" this shows that, though it can be difficult to truly expose ourselves for who we are, it pays off in the end, as the Prince loves who she truly is. 

While some may argue that Ella's response to abuse - 'have courage and be kind' - is not a good lesson to teach, I, personally, like to view this phrase with a lighter outlook. Simply that it is good to be kind and that we should be courageous in our lives. 

Disney is starting to be kinder to older people too. At first, the Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter) is a weary, old woman who seeks Cinderella's help. The kind-hearted Cinderella, of course, helps this poor woman, who then, granted, does transform into a far more beautiful, younger Fairy Godmother, complete with her own ballgown. But still, a Disney movie containing a non-evil old woman is surely a step in the right direction! 

This live action version also portrays males in a whole new light. The Prince, Kit, is able to show emotion and vulnerability, breaking normative male gender stereotypes. This is particularly shown as Kit cries at his dying father's bedside and curls up in the fetal position beside him after saying 'I love you father'.  A perfectly normal reaction to your father's death, though hardly the sort of move Disney's older Prince's would have made. Yet no one can say that Kit (Richard Madden) is not a 'man'. This modern Prince is portrayed with strength, humility, kindness and vulnerability. Who doesn't want to be swept off their feet by that...or quite frankly just Richard Madden!?

In this film, Cinderella and the Prince converse more - yes, they still fall in love and marry pretty quickly, but there's only so much you can change about the story and still keep it as Cinderella. Besides, this story is from a time when people didn't know each other very well before marrying. In the olden days it was common for a man to court a woman before marrying, but they still spent hardly any time together, and most of this precious time was most likely spent with a chaperone. Cinderella is, quite frankly, a time old tale, and if we want more progressive Princesses, we simply have to make new ones. Like Pixar did with Brave. 

And of course, we all love a good happy ending. Cinderella marries er Prince, and they are the fairest and kindest rulers of the Kingdom that ever there were. And the Duke, the step-mother and step-sisters were banished from the Kingdom (with all their eyes in tact!).

Disney Versions Vs The Originals

Here's an interesting YouTube Video comparing Disney's films to the original tales: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLCLNgg7Mig

Cinderella

Cinderella. A Disney classic. A well-known and adored Princess. Most commonly attributed with THE Prince Charming.

I just re-watched this film, and still LOVE it at my age (24 hours off turning 19!). But I don't believe there's such a thing as 'too old for Disney'. And I do think there are good moral teachings for us all to learn from this Disney classic. Foremost, that it is important to stay sweet, kind and humble despite the awful people you may be around - whether this be in the work-place, friendship circles, in passing in your to day-to-day lives. You shouldn't stoop to their level, but rise above it. Don't let them crush your dreams. If I could sing like 'Cinderella' I'd keep on singing, but in stead I link this to Vivian Green's saying, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain". So I strongly believe it is a good message to encourage people to make the best of their situation, and in Cinderella's case, it all works out in the end.

However, contrary to this, we don't all have Fairy Godmothers or singing animals to save us from wicked people. So to another extent, people still need to learn to stick up for themselves and not get walked all over....otherwise they could end up locked in the attic in rags forever!

Disney does send a contradictory message when at first Cinderella prides herself in the fact that they can never take her dreams away, then moments later she tries to change Bruno's (the dog's) dreams! So while the original premise is, in my opinion, a beautiful and poignant point, Disney immediately undermine and discard this point. You could argue that Bruno is a dog and Cinderella a person, but when the animals are treated so human-like and are, in truth, Cinderella's only friends, I hardly see it as fair to disregard Bruno's dreams.

Cinderella fell in love without realising it was the Prince. This shows she's not after a title, just someone to love and to love her back, which is only natural when considering she's in such an unloving environment at home, and contextually, at this time, the way for a woman to leave her family was to marry a man. Yes, in a modern day story she could get a job and move out to her own apartment, but Cinderella was released on 15th February 1950, a time with different expectations for women.

Here you can find a version of the Grimm Brother's original story.
This is a more gruesome tale, involving bleeding feet and pecked out eyes. The sorts of things you won't find in any of Disney's films. But another notable difference is that in the Grimm version, a hazel tree and a white bird play the role Disney allocates to a Fairy Godmother. This tree grows from a twig Cinderella's father gave her, is nourished with her tears and located above her mother's grave. From here, her wishes are granted. This tree is a connection between Cinderella and her mother. A connection that Disney never acknowledges. In the original, the father also still lives, and he too treats Cinderella badly. While in the original tale, the step-sisters were beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside, Disney are know for making the 'evil' characters ugly. This gives child viewers the simplistic and false sense that pretty people are good, and ugly people are bad, which may not be the best message!

An interesting point about this film, in relation to an article I recently read, is that 60% of the dialogue is from women, beaten only by Sleeping Beauty and Brave, compared to more modern films, such as The Princess and the Frog with less than 25% or Frozen with only 41%.  My dad actually sent me this article, shortly before a similar one was assigned for my class. Researchers feel that this occurs because male is considered the norm. So , considered generally, if Disney seeks a shopkeeper or village people, it will be men who play these roles and hold the speaking roles. So while you may see female characters on screen in the background, it could be the case of 'seen but not heard'. Researchers are still looking into the effects this may have on young children and speech development. So, while modern era Disney portrays women in more empowered roles, they're not quite giving them enough to say, and the gender equality divide still needs some more work.

There are many more modern Cinderella spin offs. My personal favourite of which is the 1998 Ever After: A Cinderella Story, which if you have not yet seen, I highly and wholly biasedly recommend. I have not yet re-watched these, though I have already seen all but the latest live action version with Lily Collins, and I do intend to view these again shortly.