Okay, lets break the ice with the blizzards of Scandinavia where a
florescent haired girl born with powers to freeze objects and create snow
resides in a handsome little kingdom. As the only Disney princess born with
special powers, (no I haven’t forgotten Rapunzel’s hair, but that was her
hair’s power not hers) and one of the only Disney princesses that isn’t fussed
about finding a prince charming especially if it is someone one has only just
met (sorry Anna), it is evident Elsa possesses something different. Afraid of
her domineering powers, Elsa shies away from society and when she accidentally
freezes the kingdom she flees to the distant mountains in search of escapism,
serenity and freedom. Here she charms us with her declaration for independence,
her breakaway from the norms and pressures of her old life; here we see the
Disney princess (queen by this stage in her life) soar with empowerment.
Do not get me wrong; Elsa is not the only Disney princess that struggles against the burden of her surroundings. We’ve seen Pocahontas fall for a threat to her tribe, we’ve seen Belle put Gaston in his place and express a need for ‘adventure in the great wide somewhere’, we’ve seen Ariel pursue the love of her life despite the disapproval of others and we’ve seen Rapunzel venture out from her confined tower in search of her destiny, but none of them have Elsa’s debonair style. This is evident in that captivating tune we all know so well.
This will not be the first time the academy award winning song is accredited. Let it go, has been described as an ‘incredible anthem of liberation’ by Entertainment Weekly, has won four other awards and has been nominated for best original song by both Golden Globe Awards and Satellite Awards. From the mystic minor chords that open the song, we know Elsa has something to deliver. Her breakaway from the pains and pressures of her confined and restricted former life are illustrated through lines ‘couldn’t keep it in’, ‘cant hold it back anymore’ ‘I don’t care what they’re going to say’ and the sassy insertion of ‘let the storm rage on, the cold never bothered me anyway’. We then see the Disney female grow in courage and in poise with ‘its time to see what I can do, to test the limits an break through, no right, no wrong no rules for me; I am free.’ She further depicts her new found self assurance through allowing her magical powers to flourish producing a shiny ice castle, fashioning herself a dazzling sparkling gown and letting her tight bun plummet into a long silvery braid singing ‘I will rise like the break of dawn’, ‘I’m one with the wind and sky’ and most importantly ‘that perfect girl is gone’ a statement that dignifies all her preceding Disney damsels.
So Elsa scores for breaking the barrier, for empowering the Disney princess and queen and all young women who struggle with the conventions that surround their everyday lives. To all those young beautiful ladies who drown in their own insecurities and fears, take it from Elsa, the queen who broke the ice and made that adorable smiling snowman eager for the perks of summer.
Do not get me wrong; Elsa is not the only Disney princess that struggles against the burden of her surroundings. We’ve seen Pocahontas fall for a threat to her tribe, we’ve seen Belle put Gaston in his place and express a need for ‘adventure in the great wide somewhere’, we’ve seen Ariel pursue the love of her life despite the disapproval of others and we’ve seen Rapunzel venture out from her confined tower in search of her destiny, but none of them have Elsa’s debonair style. This is evident in that captivating tune we all know so well.
This will not be the first time the academy award winning song is accredited. Let it go, has been described as an ‘incredible anthem of liberation’ by Entertainment Weekly, has won four other awards and has been nominated for best original song by both Golden Globe Awards and Satellite Awards. From the mystic minor chords that open the song, we know Elsa has something to deliver. Her breakaway from the pains and pressures of her confined and restricted former life are illustrated through lines ‘couldn’t keep it in’, ‘cant hold it back anymore’ ‘I don’t care what they’re going to say’ and the sassy insertion of ‘let the storm rage on, the cold never bothered me anyway’. We then see the Disney female grow in courage and in poise with ‘its time to see what I can do, to test the limits an break through, no right, no wrong no rules for me; I am free.’ She further depicts her new found self assurance through allowing her magical powers to flourish producing a shiny ice castle, fashioning herself a dazzling sparkling gown and letting her tight bun plummet into a long silvery braid singing ‘I will rise like the break of dawn’, ‘I’m one with the wind and sky’ and most importantly ‘that perfect girl is gone’ a statement that dignifies all her preceding Disney damsels.
So Elsa scores for breaking the barrier, for empowering the Disney princess and queen and all young women who struggle with the conventions that surround their everyday lives. To all those young beautiful ladies who drown in their own insecurities and fears, take it from Elsa, the queen who broke the ice and made that adorable smiling snowman eager for the perks of summer.
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| Elsa from Disney's Frozen |
By Tasneem Mahmoud
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