Many of the Disney princess movies were based on tales from the Grimm brothers’ popular folk tales, such as “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Rapunzel,” and “Cinderella.” The brothers (Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm) were born in the late 1700s to a large family undergoing difficult times (as lots of families were). Adding to the extenuating circumstances, when the brothers penned their fairy tales, Germany was undergoing a period of political chaos and revolts from the proletariat, which added extra gruesomeness to the original tales (when compared to the unrealistic situations/characters the Disney franchise creates for its fairy tale movies).
In this new perspective on Disney princesses by Dina Goldstein, the seemingly perfect female figures from the popular Disney tales face real life problems, and are placed in a more realistic situation that today’s audience can identify with.
“Snow White struggles to keep her head above water with several kids, and a prince who can’t find work.”
“Rapunzel, famous for her long blond locks, lost her hair after she was diagnosed with cancer.”
“Belle, from ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ is obsessed with looking younger.”
“In real life, perhaps Cinderella never would have found her prince.”
“Ariel from ‘Little Mermaid’ trades a vast ocean for an aquarium.”
“Little Red Riding Hood faces real issues such as obesity.”
“Pocahontas is placed as a lonely ‘cat lady’.”
“The princess (Princess and the Pea) is perched atop a stack of mattresses in a polluted landfill.”
“Princess Aurora sleeps soundly as Prince Philip lies on her beside, old and weary.”
“Princess Jasmine is depicted as a modern warrior carrying a huge gun in the middle of a war zone.”
Sources:
Daily News; Mail Online; List Verse