Since I'm doing a project on how media affects gender roles, I have invariably been watching lots of Disney movies and reading lots about them. There is no end to the bitching about the three classic Disney princess movies, Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.
There is without a doubt a fair amount of sexism in the films, but to be honest there's not as much as you'd think. That is not counting Snow White because lets be honest all she does in that film is cook, clean, and wait for her prince (who has serious issues since he was willing to kiss an unconscious and presumed dead girl he doesn't know).
Cinderella, while having its sexist moments, is really not that much worse than modern movies. There are gobs of romantic comedies that manage to come out around this time of year that show bitchy people who are worried about appearance and their favorite passtime is fighting about clothes just like the step sisters do. Those two characters, who we're not supposed to like anyways, are total dumbasses and we very much want to stab them. That's sort of the intent. (Ella Enchanted does a similar thing as well.)
The step mother however is actually smart and we hate her because she's sadistic and enjoys tormenting Cinderella. She actually knows what's going on around her and does her best to gain her daughters some status. (It's almost sweet in an evil sort of way.)
Now there's the main character Cinderella. Sure she spends a good deal of the movie cooking and cleaning, but it's made quite clear its forcible and she hates it. When it comes time for the ball, she takes matters into her own hands. Granted it's because she might meet the prince, but think about it she's kind of just hoping to get away from dishes for a few hours. Unlike her step sisters, she's fantasizing about fun not necessarily just the prince. Instead of just sitting there passively she gets started doing whatever the hell it takes to go. She finds a dress, cleans the shit out of that house, and with the help of her mice friends, is all set to get the heck out of that house.
Then her crazy family, gets pissed that she actually managed to do what they asked and rips apart her outfit. She's rightfully a little upset I think. A night of freedom and fun was slammed right in her face. It's like if you were about to go to that thing you've been waiting for with such anticipation you couldn't sleep and your parents suddenly changed their mind as you were about to leave. And instead of just leaving it at a "no" that had to assault you as well. That's some pretty terrible shit.
Since it's a fairy tale, the fairy godmother shows up and produces the magic that makes the whole happy ending possible. Sure there's the fact that her rescue was by marriage. That is a bit annoying, but think about modern movies where that's still the case. I'm not saying it's a prime example of modern feminism or anything like that. I'm just saying it's not endlessly sexist either.
Okay there is that mouse that says, "Leave the sewing to the women." But hey, people still say things like that, so go make a sandwich and shut up.
Now on to Sleeping Beauty. This movie is actually not as sexist as you'd think. For starters it is almost an entirely female dominated cast (Cinderella also has one of these). The main characters are the three fairies. One could argue the blue one (is it Maryweather?) in particular if you want to get way into prominence. They are all quite smart, if a bit goofy and silly. They aren't shown with the inherent ability to cook and sew. In fact,they're damn right terrible at it.
Maleficent is highly intelligent. She's got her plans sorted out. She knows what she's doing and is enjoying it. Granted she has some terrible lackeys and that pesky human spirit proves to be quite an obsicle. Plus that whole bad guy thing is just destined to ending in a stabbing. (Usually in prison.)
Now for the main object of sexism. Princess Aurora herself. After we first meet her, it doesn't take long for us to here her fantasy about meeting a prince. Okay, be honest, how many of you people out there never day dreamt about something similar? Plus she's sixteen thinking about love (and other things along those lines) is essentially what your brain is programmed for at that age.
So then a prince just shows up and it's hormones everywhere. The princess actually has less irrational behavior in this case. She invites him to her birthday party, while he goes telling his pop that he's getting married.
That's when stuff gets serious. Aurora is all excited because she just met a cute boy (something that's not simple in the middle of nowhere), its her birthday, and she just received some cool presents. Oh yeah, then she's told her life is a lie. Boom! Just like that. You're a princess, you're getting married, you'll never return to this place, and we're magic fairies. That's a lot to take in. The crying and despair isn't exactly a terrible reaction. The fairies want to say that its because of the boy she just met, but think about it. Your life just took a drastic turn and as far as you know your future consists of birthing royal babies and acting proper. Sounds pretty bad to me.
So, Aurora's in a daze because her life is very strange all of a sudden and she doesn't actually know shit about the spinning wheel prophecy. Plus there's that whole glowing mind control thing Maleficent's got going on, so not ending up a damsel in distress is kind of difficult. Really you do better.
The main issue I have with these movies is the kissing unconscious people. Especially in Snow White's case (no pun intended). Princes have serious personal space issues. I can at least see Prince Philip's reasoning in Sleeping Beauty. He was at least told this would do the trick. Whereas the Snow White guy just decided to kiss some dead broad.
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