And just when you think a Disney movie
finally doesn’t have death in it.. you are proven wrong! Not all
Disney/cartoons have the theme of death in it but its definitely the one that
strikes the most; at least when you are older (I’ve probably already mentioned
this). But I dare anyone to watch one and not have your heart broken, otherwise
I would say something is deeply wrong with you ahah.
However, I’m not going to discuss this depressing theme, but I’ve recently
wanted to review a Disney cartoon and have recently written an exhausting essay
upon multiculturalism, I thought I could try and explore it in relation to one
of Disney’s latest and ‘innovative’ animations The Princess and the Frog (2009). Well, is not that recent however
in terms of it being ‘innovative’ it is one of the very first cartoons to
portray a black princess (even though to be correct, an African-America
princess) but also she embodies such a determined and strong female character,
not the usual type of princess. Taking in consideration Cinderella or Snow
White, for example, we see that they in a way are the victims of cruel step
parents, more precisely step mothers, who do not come from a ‘poor’ background,
even though represented in such. As for Tiana, our African-American princess,
her poor and rural background are definitely not missed; although it is a
pleasant little area where folks come together while enjoying a nice meal of
jambalaya (actually sound tasty).
Disney becomes a ‘melting pot’ of cultures,
mmh that’s you would probably think. There are different discourses that
various theorists or simply ‘ordinary’ people have taken into account when
referring to this film: race, class and gender. I will analyze these concepts
in relation to specific articles/posts I have read.
I’ve read some pretty interesting facts
regarding this animation, firstly the image of a post-modern princess,
represented by this hard-working, independent and ambitious woman. From my
recent analysis there are not many issues concerning the matter of race, in
portraying a typical princess as an African-American, even within the film it
is not emphasized in particular ways: we see the strong friendship between
Tiana and Charlotte which contra poses the image of master and servant. However there are certain statements which do
imply or remind Tiana who and where she is from. Additionally some pin-point
the fact that the characters, Tiana and Naveen, are through the story mainly
appearing as frogs; which to some extent raises the question of whether this
was on purpose. But personally, maybe I’m being naive, I don’t think that there
is much of a second scope.
“
[…] Which is why a little woman of your background…”
-
Fenner Brothers
There is obviously a distinction between
both Tiana and Charlotte in matters of race, the former having to work hard to
achieve her goals while the other just simply asks for what she wants; but this
matter is not emphasized in a negative way due [as mentioned] by the fact that
the two share this strong relationship. However, Charlotte’s character seems to
embody simply a spoilt princess, stereotype of the usual princess-like-blonde
who simply believes that wishing upon a start will bring her fairy tales to
life. Well, in the end it is a fairy tale. This may concern alternatively
matters regarding gender, from which I will draw upon in a post which connects
in particular Tiana’s figure to the theories of the notable Laura Mulvey. It is
actually an insightful piece of work and I will point out the main associates
made between the cartoon and Mulvey’s notions.
The first aspects which catch our
attention is this obsessive idea that men can feel threaten by woman (fear of
castration – like seriously guys get a grip ahah), which within the film is
solved by the fact that Tiana is initially introduced as a child and also not
taken very seriously when wanting to open her own restaurant: “Tiana's
determination and passion for work and her restaurant are treated as a silly
hobby, as though she were still a child with a foolish dream”. Alternatively, there
is the consideration of Tiana being passive. This is a main concept within
Mulvey’s work, she state that Hollywood films tend to portray a certain male
gaze to which male characters appear to be active while women are simply
a passive objectification for the
pleasure of men (every time I read or write such things I kinda feel degraded).
The fact that Tiana is mocked by other
in following what seem absurd dreams and hard work, as if she can try as much
as she wants but will not get it, her mother also insists she wants
grandchildren (although she is then supportive), etc.
In conclusion, I wanted to briefly draw
upon the relation between Tiana and prince Naveen, within the post it is argued
that the arrival of Naveen who “takes hold of the reigns”, as if Tiana was some
kind of horse. Once ‘prince Charming’ has made his appearance, we know look at
Tiana through his eyes, sifting from the initial perspective we had of Tiana’s
point-of-view. To some extent it may be true but on the other side it also
reminded me of the buck stereotype, used within Hollywood films: the
attractive, sexual crazy black character (although Naveen is per se Spanish).
However we construct or analyze the hidden
messages, doesn’t change the fact that it was a good Disney movie, something
everyone would enjoy!
“Meet
my friends from the other side.”
-
Dr. Facilier
AG
(Apologies - late, last time!)
Readings
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