Frozen has been a topic of conversation with some of my
young female clients and I finally sat down with the DVD the other day to watch
it. While Disney certainly created beautiful scenes and wonderful music, I was
mainly eager to be introduced to a newly empowered Disney princess. Certainly
the song “Let It Go” seemed all about embracing your true nature and personal
power. How refreshing I thought to not have a princess in a coma, kidnapped, locked
up, tricked or treated as a slave. Maybe even someone who didn't need to be
rescued by a charming prince. I was certainly ready for a princess that was
powerful, strong and who could use her abilities to govern wisely.
But, no, I was wrong. In Frozen, Elsa, the princess, has to be
isolated and locked away, her powers a danger to everyone. Really Disney??? Are
we still so unwilling to portray female power in a positive light?
If this story had a male prince with similarly out of
control powers what would have happened? From Luke Skywalker to Harry Potter
exceptional powers would be tamed and controlled through support, practice and
wise counsel. Luke could consult with Yoda and Harry had Hogwarts and Dumbledore
watching over him. In other words, a male would have been portrayed as
mastering his powers and then with confidence taking on whatever leadership was
needed. Why couldn't Elsa's parents have provided this for her? There could
have been great scenes of her practicing her powers, making silly mistakes and
then getting better and then taking full control of herself and her powers.
So, what instead, happens to Elsa? Elsa, having had no
support or guidance, is fearful of her powers. After her coronation, she
recognizes her lack of control, and fearing she will harm others, escapes. The
song “Let It Go” comes from all the pent up frustration of having to suppress
her exceptional powers. Of course, we've all felt this way. Either we've never
been recognized for our uniqueness or have been asked to deny it. I think this
universal feeling is why the song has been so popular.
Elsa belts out the song, elated at being able to exhibit her
power and in so doing creates a magnificent ice castle and a new image. Elsa's
physical transformation, though, is disturbing. She lets her hair down, dons a shimmering
dress and is suddenly becomes a sexy Barbie doll. This is not a strong image of
real power; it is, in fact, an image of disempowerment. There are no symbols
of strength; her only freedom comes from her isolation. She is still fearful of
her powers. Why couldn't her escape to the forest and high mountains have
included finding a wise wizard or the original troll king to tutor her in
managing her own powers?
When her sister Anna, comes to find her she is still fearful
of hurting her and sends her away. Anna, though, isn't easily deterred because
she is so glad to have Elsa back in her life. Elsa then resorts to creating a
snow monster to scare her away. Perhaps I'm naive about movie plots, but couldn't
this have been a perfect opportunity for the sisters to have an honest talk?
Couldn't Elsa have told her about what happened when they were young and why
she had to stay so guarded and fearful? Anna, whose memory had been erased,
could then have understood their separation as not rejection, but her sister
trying to protect her. Together they could have come up with some solutions.
I know the movie's moral is about sisterly loyalty and love
and I'm all for sibling solidarity. I'm glad we were not subject to the “saved
by the prince's kiss” theme, but this entire movie and even the ending were a disappointment
to me. I was just hoping that this time Disney might have provided us with a
fully empowered female heroine. Guess it's going to take awhile.
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