Disclaimer: A list I found online. Not mine. Also no offense intended to those who disagree with the list.
It is evident from the outset of the film Sleeping Beauty that our dear Princess Aurora is not the most autonomous, proactive heroine ever to grace the silver screen. In fact, she is a completely passive participant in events which she finds herself the center of yet effects in no way whatsoever. (At this point I ask for indulgence from all Sleeping Beauty fans. I love This movie, but I could not resolve it with my post-modern feminist background, until now...) So if this movie is viewed as a film in which the heroine is Princess Aurora, it poses a poor example to girls today of being proactive and independent. However, if you view the heroines of this film as the three good fairies instead, then it sends a very strong, pro-female message! Consider: *Flora, Fauna and Merryweather are well-respected for their magical talents (not physical appearance or any other such superficial qualities) and as such are given honor and prestige with the royal family, to the point where the King and Queen will allow them to take their only daughter away. *They are intelligent. Recognizing that the King’s plan, to burn all spinning wheels, is ludicrous and ineffective, they formulate their own.*They are the instigators of the action in counter to Maleficent, by softening the spell first, then by secluding the princess and putting the kingdom to sleep eventually. Even Prince Phillip, the Hero, does not do as much in furthering the plot.*Finally, who broke the Prince out of the dungeon? Who made his escape from Maleficent’s Lair possible? And who enchanted his sword that 'Evil die and good endure'? It was all the good fairies. I propose, therefore, that this film is less about a vacuous princess and her prince than it is about a power struggle between 3 little old ladies and an old crone (who is cool). When it is viewed in that light, the entire feminine gender comes off empowered.
(Source: animatedheroines.com)
It is evident from the outset of the film Sleeping Beauty that our dear Princess Aurora is not the most autonomous, proactive heroine ever to grace the silver screen. In fact, she is a completely passive participant in events which she finds herself the center of yet effects in no way whatsoever. (At this point I ask for indulgence from all Sleeping Beauty fans. I love This movie, but I could not resolve it with my post-modern feminist background, until now...) So if this movie is viewed as a film in which the heroine is Princess Aurora, it poses a poor example to girls today of being proactive and independent. However, if you view the heroines of this film as the three good fairies instead, then it sends a very strong, pro-female message! Consider: *Flora, Fauna and Merryweather are well-respected for their magical talents (not physical appearance or any other such superficial qualities) and as such are given honor and prestige with the royal family, to the point where the King and Queen will allow them to take their only daughter away. *They are intelligent. Recognizing that the King’s plan, to burn all spinning wheels, is ludicrous and ineffective, they formulate their own.*They are the instigators of the action in counter to Maleficent, by softening the spell first, then by secluding the princess and putting the kingdom to sleep eventually. Even Prince Phillip, the Hero, does not do as much in furthering the plot.*Finally, who broke the Prince out of the dungeon? Who made his escape from Maleficent’s Lair possible? And who enchanted his sword that 'Evil die and good endure'? It was all the good fairies. I propose, therefore, that this film is less about a vacuous princess and her prince than it is about a power struggle between 3 little old ladies and an old crone (who is cool). When it is viewed in that light, the entire feminine gender comes off empowered.
(Source: animatedheroines.com)
