From I'm wishing for the one I love to find me to I don't care what they're going to say, Disney has come a long way...but for the upcoming generation is it enough?
Once upon a time, at an age far-far behind, we sat down and watched Ariel go on land for a man she didn’t know. Do we think the idea of arranged marriages arrived from here? I guess not, but hey, I think Disney was surely inspired. We did grow up watching Snow White being kissed out of her ‘chronic sleep’ thinking it was sweet and oh-so-romantic; but did we notice whether or not it was consensual? Not really. Then again, we did grow up watching Prince Charming parading throughout the town with a single shoe, in search of a woman he claims he loves, yet cannot possibly remember her face!
Yes, Disney is fun, but are we sure that it sends out the right image in the ever so sculpting minds of growing children? Does it feed the complete anarchy that the children are not able to see? Does Disney under scrutiny pass out as ‘safe’ for children to view? The answer to breaking all the stereotypes created by Disney is in the book “Cinderella: A Fit and A Miss” launched by Anoushka Seth, a 4th year, Fashion Media Communication student from Pearl Academy. But before we talk about the book, there are a few questions that every Disney viewer should ask. Have you wondered why the princesses are flawless? How is their hair so silky when they wake up? Why does every Disney princess have the same figure?
After giving much thought to these questions, Anoushka for her college thesis decided to work on the Semiotics of the Evolution of Disney Princesses resulting in the curation of a children-friendly ‘Cinderella’ version, that not only challenges the ‘classic stereotype’ of Disney but instills an image of ‘acceptance’. According to Anoushka, “young children aren’t aware of what’s right and what’s not…their minds and perception are malleable and I think exposing diversity and inclusivity during the foundation years definitely would raise a generation way more self-loving and actualized.”
The hardbound book helps the reader install a new identity of a Cinderella who may not have the perfect curves, the ‘fair’ complexion, the slender, tiny limbs, unrealistically big blue eyes, instead, has a personality and a spine to stand on. She does not wait around for the ‘prince charming’ and even though the prince charming does want her, she isn’t sure if that is what she wants. This shows the fact that the ‘new age’ Cinderella has a mind of her own and it highlights the fact that she may ‘choose’ a path other than the one everyone traditionally walks on, as attested by Robert Frost “And I, I took the road less traveled by, and it has made all the difference”. Now obviously it was much easier for him considering he is male, and as the past is witness, things haven’t been easy for females; be it in their house, or out in society. Anoushka urges the parents to read this book to their daughters, or the elders to their significant siblings as an anecdote to ‘change’ and ‘evolution’. It is after all through home, that one changes, and if not at home, then where else?
You can shop for the book here!