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The Disney Debate

I just watched Beauty and the Beast and it got me thinking about the link between feminism and fairy-tale princesses. Belle is a book-wielding, beast-taming feminist without a doubt, but where do the other princesses from the Disney canon stand on the feminist scale? Mulan and Merida are somewhere in the top echelon with their cross-dressing, crossbow shooting stunts while Cinderella and Aurora are feminist cop-outs. It’s encouraging to see more and more Disney princesses move from damsel in distress to dame that don’t give a damn, showing kids everywhere that girls can be kick ass too. So, I present to you my definitive list of Disney princesses ranked according to their feminist credentials. Extra points for minority maidens such as princesses of colour, LGBT ladies (Elsa I’m looking at you) and red heads.

1. Mulan


Mulan doesn’t need a man to save her. In fact, she saves the man and China, too!

2. Tiana


Tiana is unique in that she has a real job, even after she becomes royalty. She’s a successful restaurant owner, chef and a princess, talk about baking your cake and eating it too.

3. Elsa


Elsa is the most powerful of the Disney princesses – she can freaking make it snow. Try that on for size, Cinderella. Also, she knows that the love we have for our sisters is the truest and purest of all.

4. Pocahontas


Pocahontas saves John Smith, turning the damsel in distress trope on its head. In the end it’s head over heart for her as she decides not to ride off into the sunset with Smith, all for the good of her tribe.

5.  Merida


Oh Merida of the red mane. She is a master of the crossbow and has bigger things on her mind than boys. The fearless Scott sits solidly at no 5. 

6. Belle


Belle, Belle, beautiful Belle. A broad who knows the power of a good book. Not afraid to go against the grain, she was unashamedly herself before geek chic was a thing.

7. Jasmine


Jasmine of ‘I’m not just some prize to be won’ fame played the men at their own game. She memorably pretended to be under Jaffar’s spell to overthrow him. Free-spirited, she also ran away from her castle in a bid for independence.

8. Rapunzel


Rapunzel overcomes serious Stockholm syndrome to escape from her tower. Like Merida,
she wields a weapon with great panache.

9. Snow White


Snow white does quite well until she messes it all up by eating that damn apple. The Prince’s kiss revives her, further cementing the 'women need to be saved'  theme of the older princesses.

10. Cinderella


Cinderella is a feminist flop. She allowed herself to be used as a slave by her step-family until a handsome prince came and whisked her off her tiny feet. She takes no responsibility for her own life.

11. Ariel

Ariel sells her voice in exchange for a chance to seduce Prince Eric with her newly minted legs. Need I say more.

12. Aurora


Aurora gets the last spot because she literally sleeps through most of her story until she is saved by a prince. Also, hobbies include weaving.

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