Again, I'm not an expert on this but I'm trying my best to analyze each princess from a feminist standpoint. Trying to figure out which princess is the most feminist, taking into account their actions, their stories, their portrayals and their accomplishments. Well, now it's time for part two, with the middle three and this one might cause quite a bit of disagreements since this part has very polarizing princesses. And be sure to critique because this is the part I'm the least sure about.
6-7. Ariel
She's tied with Rapunzel. I have a hard time deciding. There's no denying Ariel's a groundbreaking character when it comes to this topic. She's the first princess to save people's lives, like kweta and Eric, and she's capable of taking care of herself. Her actions, while not perfect, are admirable in that she takes full charge of her destiny and refuses to let anyone stand in her way. She's driven, fearless and independent. There's also a bit of role reversal in her relationship with Eric. However, we all know why Ariel isn't any higher on this list, that moment where "Part of that world" becomes "Part of your world" a man is the catalyst in her story. When she makes the deal with Ursula to finally achieve her dream, it's driven only partially kwa her own will, it's also driven kwa her upendo for a man, spite for her father and villain persuasion. She made a serious decision but other factors greatly influenced that decision, she loses points for that. And in the end, when she bites off zaidi than she can chew, all of her Marafiki have to bail her out of a mess she got herself and them into. She tries and mostly succeeds in being independent but her dependence near the end drags her down significantly. However, she does prove herself as a heroine in the literal sense of the word and makes her own choices, and mistakes but her inability to fix those mistakes keep her out of the juu five. To quote Ariel herself, she is a bright young woman, sick of swimming, ready to stand, and that does have value.
6-7. Rapunzel
She's tied with Ariel. I'm very indecisive about where Rapunzel should be on this list. First and foremost her relationship with Flynn is a textbook prime example of feminism. They are completely equal in their relationship, barely driven kwa appearance but zaidi kwa personality, they help each other grow out of their insecurities and make great sacrifices for each other. If this was most feminist couple, Punz and Flynn would win hands down. However, as for Rapunzel herself, she's a very good but not a perfect case. She leaves the tower and holds her own well enough but still needs rescuing from time to time. Even though she's thrown is an unfamiliar environment and grew up extremely sheltered, she manages to find a realistic balance of being able to care of herself but she's not a warrior woman, and she can't do it all alone. She plays the role of damsel of distress a lot but she also plays the hero a lot. Unlike others, Punz actually makes the best out of her oppressive situation, improving herself. She finally takes a stand against Gothel's oppression and breaks free from her manipulation. She goes about things a lot smarter than Ariel and with a bit zaidi compassion, which is significantly lacking in princesses like Ariel and Merida. However, she's not as independent and as firm in her ground as Ariel. Hence the tie, but the value of Rapunzel from a feminist standpoint is undeniable.
5. Merida
What can I say? I must be give credit where credit is due. She's a very complicated and interesting case, one dakika she's a "strong independent woman", inaonyesha the men how it's done kwa shooting for her own hand, the inayofuata minute, on the other side of the spectrum, she's a damsel in distress, getting rescued zaidi often than any other princess. Both of which are potentially harmful representations but regardless, she is independent, she makes bad decisions and she plays a very big role in fixing them. Near the end, she demonstrates a very good balance. She saves her mother through various methods, both violent, protecting Elinor kwa overpowering Fergus, and non-violent, sewing the tapestry. She is a strong-willed heroine who still needs help from time to time but she will use force when push comes to shove. She was willing to make a great sacrifice for the good of her kingdom and ends the conflict between the clans diplomatically. She does lack compassion and it takes her a while to finally take responsibility but she does eventually, so she gets points for that. And throughout the story, she uses everything in her power to right her wrongs, this what truly sets her higher than other princesses. It takes a strong woman to control her destiny and make her own decisions, good au bad, but it takes an even stronger woman to solve her problems, even with a little help. All of this combined with the relationship she has with Elinor and the fact that her story is complete without romantic love, no matter what she will always gain points for this, puts her high on this list.
Okay, so some quick notes to finish off. Ariel is not fighting male oppression in disobeying her father, all she's doing is disobeying a parent, same as Merida. Shooting arrows and climbing mountains does not make Merida feminist, those are just activities, like cooking and dancing. All three of these girls display independence and heroism to varying degrees but their very frequent reliance on others keeps them out of the juu 4.
Thanks for reading! See wewe in Part Three!
6-7. Ariel
She's tied with Rapunzel. I have a hard time deciding. There's no denying Ariel's a groundbreaking character when it comes to this topic. She's the first princess to save people's lives, like kweta and Eric, and she's capable of taking care of herself. Her actions, while not perfect, are admirable in that she takes full charge of her destiny and refuses to let anyone stand in her way. She's driven, fearless and independent. There's also a bit of role reversal in her relationship with Eric. However, we all know why Ariel isn't any higher on this list, that moment where "Part of that world" becomes "Part of your world" a man is the catalyst in her story. When she makes the deal with Ursula to finally achieve her dream, it's driven only partially kwa her own will, it's also driven kwa her upendo for a man, spite for her father and villain persuasion. She made a serious decision but other factors greatly influenced that decision, she loses points for that. And in the end, when she bites off zaidi than she can chew, all of her Marafiki have to bail her out of a mess she got herself and them into. She tries and mostly succeeds in being independent but her dependence near the end drags her down significantly. However, she does prove herself as a heroine in the literal sense of the word and makes her own choices, and mistakes but her inability to fix those mistakes keep her out of the juu five. To quote Ariel herself, she is a bright young woman, sick of swimming, ready to stand, and that does have value.
6-7. Rapunzel
She's tied with Ariel. I'm very indecisive about where Rapunzel should be on this list. First and foremost her relationship with Flynn is a textbook prime example of feminism. They are completely equal in their relationship, barely driven kwa appearance but zaidi kwa personality, they help each other grow out of their insecurities and make great sacrifices for each other. If this was most feminist couple, Punz and Flynn would win hands down. However, as for Rapunzel herself, she's a very good but not a perfect case. She leaves the tower and holds her own well enough but still needs rescuing from time to time. Even though she's thrown is an unfamiliar environment and grew up extremely sheltered, she manages to find a realistic balance of being able to care of herself but she's not a warrior woman, and she can't do it all alone. She plays the role of damsel of distress a lot but she also plays the hero a lot. Unlike others, Punz actually makes the best out of her oppressive situation, improving herself. She finally takes a stand against Gothel's oppression and breaks free from her manipulation. She goes about things a lot smarter than Ariel and with a bit zaidi compassion, which is significantly lacking in princesses like Ariel and Merida. However, she's not as independent and as firm in her ground as Ariel. Hence the tie, but the value of Rapunzel from a feminist standpoint is undeniable.
5. Merida
What can I say? I must be give credit where credit is due. She's a very complicated and interesting case, one dakika she's a "strong independent woman", inaonyesha the men how it's done kwa shooting for her own hand, the inayofuata minute, on the other side of the spectrum, she's a damsel in distress, getting rescued zaidi often than any other princess. Both of which are potentially harmful representations but regardless, she is independent, she makes bad decisions and she plays a very big role in fixing them. Near the end, she demonstrates a very good balance. She saves her mother through various methods, both violent, protecting Elinor kwa overpowering Fergus, and non-violent, sewing the tapestry. She is a strong-willed heroine who still needs help from time to time but she will use force when push comes to shove. She was willing to make a great sacrifice for the good of her kingdom and ends the conflict between the clans diplomatically. She does lack compassion and it takes her a while to finally take responsibility but she does eventually, so she gets points for that. And throughout the story, she uses everything in her power to right her wrongs, this what truly sets her higher than other princesses. It takes a strong woman to control her destiny and make her own decisions, good au bad, but it takes an even stronger woman to solve her problems, even with a little help. All of this combined with the relationship she has with Elinor and the fact that her story is complete without romantic love, no matter what she will always gain points for this, puts her high on this list.
Okay, so some quick notes to finish off. Ariel is not fighting male oppression in disobeying her father, all she's doing is disobeying a parent, same as Merida. Shooting arrows and climbing mountains does not make Merida feminist, those are just activities, like cooking and dancing. All three of these girls display independence and heroism to varying degrees but their very frequent reliance on others keeps them out of the juu 4.
Thanks for reading! See wewe in Part Three!
