Disney has been providing content on princesses for over eighty years, showing young girls feminine beauty and societal expectations. From Snow White, the first Disney princess movie produced in 1937, to today, there have been many variations, remakes, and new characters. This comparison of Disney princesses through time will examine character attributes, stereotypes, societal expectations, and behaviours.
The attributes and characteristics of Disney princesses have significantly changed from the 1930s to today. As Clarke et al. explored, the first three Disney princesses, Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty embodied traditional feminine characteristics and “identified as being highly submissive, passive and victimized, and domestic work was central to portrayals of femininity” (Clarke et al. 2024, 2). These female characters were shown performing domestic work and providing for their household. Each of their happy endings depended on a male character, they were not “separated from suffering on their own” (Jiang, 2022, 14). Their storylines relied on a male character to save them. In contrast, recent characters such as Mulan, Tiana from The Princess Frog, Rapunzel from Tangled, and Moana exhibit attributes of independence and empowerment. Robinson et al. describe the modern Disney princess as “no longer helpless” and “a symbol of intelligence, compassion, and power” (2020, 514). A heroine reflects the feminine movement creating “rational, proactive, independent [characters], challenging patriarchal societies image of women” (Jiang, 2022, 15). These princesses were fighting in wars, working hard for their own business, discovering themselves, and saving their community. This provides young girls with an image of what women are capable of and that they are not confined to gender stereotypes.
The stereotypical Disney princess has adapted and developed into a princess figure representing more than domestication and true love. Many Disney princess storylines incorporated a love interest that swept her off her feet, saving her and presenting a happy ending. Munteanu describes Disney princesses as assuming a certain stereotypical role as they “appear as delicate human beings who cannot defend themselves and who, at the end of the story, must be saved by a prince” (Munteanu, 2022, 102). This can create a negative image for young viewers that suggests that women require male help and attention. Recent Disney princesses pursue ambitions and goals, wanting to prove themselves and overcome challenges. The study by Hine et al. explores how female characters began to display traditional masculine behaviours being physically capable and assertive (2018). Using Moana as their example, the study describes the character as a “brave heroine with a sense of humor and a commitment to saving the world without romantic distractions.” (Hine et al., 2018). Another character, Tiana from The Princess and the Frog, aspires to own a restaurant and works tirelessly to achieve her goal, expressing how “the necessary hard work it will take for her to reach her dream [stands] out as a message to young viewers” (Robinson et al., 2020, 514). Love interests can be present but are not the driving plot of recent movies. The Disney princess movies moved away from the “damsel in distress” and developed to express independence, ambition, and accomplishment.
The typical Disney princess audience is young girls, at an age susceptible to the influence of movie content regarding social behaviour and norms. The beginning of the Disney princess films presented the expectation that young women should be domestic, marrying a man who will provide for her (Munteanu, 2022, 106). Cinderella and Aurora express the reinforcement of gender stereotypes as their primary value is in their appearance and ability to attract a prince. This can suggest to the young female audience that their worth is tied to appearance or relationships with men. This shows young girls the societal norms of the time. These Disney princesses incorporated a lack of racial diversity, portraying a single beauty ideal. This can have damaging effects as society was not accurately represented.
In opposition, recent Disney princesses express female capabilities and empowerment. As Hine et al explored, modern Disney princesses display more traditionally masculine characteristics. These movies suggest to young female viewers that women are empowered to create change, make impactful decisions, and follow their dreams. Young girls who see strong, independent characters may develop a healthier self-image and pursue goals while challenging traditional stereotypes. Additionally, Disney princesses are represented in diversity of race, culture, and ambition. This can create a sense of belonging and self-confidence when young viewers are represented.
While behavioral characteristics may have developed to portray a more equal empowering society, Disney princesses maintain the reputation of flawless and potentially unattainable beauty (Jiang, 2024, 14). This may suggest to young girls that beauty is slim figures, full, long hair, wide eyes, and other animated features, creating unrealistic standards of perfection. This can have damaging effects on perspectives of beauty and self-worth.
Disney princesses have significantly changed and developed over time to create characters that are inclusive, representative, and empowering of young female viewers. Young viewers are incredibly influenced by movies and content and Disney is now portraying princesses that encourage female empowerment and capability. Disney’s shift to presenting inclusive and empowering princesses offers young girls positive and valuable representations of femininity.
References
Clake et al.. 2024. “The gendered behaviours displayed by Disney protagonists.” Frontiers
in Sociology 9: 1338900. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2024.1338900.
Hine et al.. 2018. “From the Sleeping Princess to the World-Saving Daughter of the Chief:
Examining Young Children’s Perceptions of ‘Old’ versus ‘New’ Disney Princess Characters” Social Sciences 7, no. 9: 161. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci7090161
Jiang, Xu. 2022. Study on Self-growth of Female Characters in Disney Animation from the
Perspective of Feminism. Science Publishing Group. English Language, Literature & Culture. Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 12-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ellc.20220701.13
Munteanu, Bianca-Cătălina. 2022. “The Disney Princesses and the Glass Slipper of the
Modal Personality.” Annuaire Roumain d’Anthropologie 59 (January): 102. https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.tru.ca/linkprocessor/plink?id=a8e57d8e-456b-3143-992c-e6306ec7ff25.
Robinson et al. 2020. “Virtue, Royalty, Dreams and Power: Exploring the Appeal of Disney
Princesses to Preadolescent Girls in the United Stated.” Journal of Children and Media 14, no. 4 : 514. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2020.1711787
Image sources
IsabelleDe2008. Rapunzel, Tiana, and Moana. October 12, 2021. Deviantart.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deviantart.com%2Fisabellede2008%2Fart%2FRapunzel-Tiana-and-Moana-894607892&psig=AOvVaw1lbTGS_5wu6dd0xNNjzhVO&ust=1730181606057000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCOik3fiysIkDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE .
n.a. Classic Princesses. October 24, 2014. Disney Princesses Are My (Imperfect) Feminist
Role Models. https://boingboing.net/2014/10/24/disney-princesses-are-my-impe.html.
David
The student’s comparison of Disney princesses over time provides a clear and well-rounded look at how these characters have changed. They effectively explain the differences between older and newer princesses, focusing on the shift from traditional, passive roles to more empowered, independent ones. The key points of their analysis show how earlier princesses were often portrayed as helpless, dependent on male characters to save them, while modern princesses are depicted as proactive, ambitious, and capable of achieving their own goals. The evolution of these characters also reflects broader changes in society, such as the feminist movement and increasing calls for diversity.
The student uses scholarly sources well, referencing studies by Clarke et al., Jiang, and Robinson et al. These sources provide important context and support the student’s argument that Disney princesses have evolved to reflect changing ideas about gender and women’s roles. By quoting these studies, the student adds depth and credibility to their points.
However, the analysis could go further in exploring how race and gender together influence the portrayal of modern princesses. For example, while the newer princesses are more diverse in terms of race, the student doesn’t fully dive into how race and gender interact in these portrayals. Additionally, while the critique briefly mentions unrealistic beauty standards, it could benefit from more discussion on how body diversity is still lacking in modern princesses, even though their personalities have evolved.
The images used in the analysis effectively show the visual differences between early and modern Disney princesses. These images back up the student’s argument by giving concrete examples of how the characters’ looks and behavior have changed over time. Overall, the student provides a thoughtful and well-supported critique of how Disney princesses have evolved, but could add more detail on the intersection of race, gender, and body diversity.