And while we're on the subject of princesses, there was great debate between Jackie, Cheri and I while we were in DL as to the "truth" about Disney princesses.
I contend that some of these so called "princesses" are nothing but class-jumping impostors.
Let's look at the facts, shall we?
Q. Snow White .... Princess? Yes or No?
A. She may be mousy and a complete bubble headed wimp, but yes she's a princess. Her stepmother is a Queen, albeit and evil one but a queen nonetheless. The woodsman refers to Snow White as, "Your Highness."
Q. Cinderella .... Princess? Yes or No?
A. No. Cindy come from an upper middle class family but that does not make her a princess. It makes her merely bourgeois. Worse still, though bourgeois, she is less than a scullery maid or a boot boy. Becoming a maid of all work would be a step up for Cindy.
In all of her portrayals in character she is in her "going to the ball" get-up, which in turn means that she is still virginal and in a state of pre-marriage and ergo, not a princess. When they start introducing her as Mrs. Prince Charming she can take the title of Princess.
Q. Aurora ... Princess? Yes or No?
A. Definitely yes. There is no doubt here as to her bloodline.
Q. Belle ... Princess? Yes or No?
A. Definitely No. Belle is lower class. Her father may be an inventor but let's face it, they hardly have two pennies to scratch together. Belle like Cindy is portrayed in her virginal going to dance with a hairy beast persona, and not post marriage. As a matter of fact in Beauty and the Beast we never do get a hint that a marriage is afoot, do we? Only that she may be the prince's good time girl. As a matter of fact, when she appears in character it is either in her peasant garb (Belle's story time) or in her gown with the Beast. Clearly Prince Adam (yes he has a name, check the Disney encyclopedia) has not yet married her. In short, Belle is nothing more than someone who has aspirations above her station.
Q. Jasmine ... Princess? Yes or No?
A. Clearly Jasmine (Princess Jasmine) is a princess, though she is probably an Islamic princess, something that somehow gets overlooked.
Q. Alice ... Princess? Yes or No?
A. Interesting conundrum. Alice does start out middle class. Let's face it, she lives in a cottage not a grand house. However, in Alice Through the Looking Glass, she does, on the chess board become a Queen.
Q. Arial ... Princess? Yes or No?
A. There is no question here at all. She is referred to as Princess Arial. There might be something fishy about her and her whole family, but without a doubt they are of royal lineage.
And finally,
Q. Mary Poppins
A. Of course not. Mary Poppins, however magical she may be is merely domestic help, though to be a governess, one traditionally did come from the middle class. Her station in the house would be well above that of a lady's maid. Technically, as such, she might be allowed to take her meals with the family and not below stairs.
The moral? Know your princesses! Do not be decieved by imposters. Think twice before letting your daughters dress.
Ask yourself whether they should be a real princess or merely a cheap social climbing tart.
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It is just like you are saying that Santa isn't real!!!
I never thought that Mary Poppins had eyes on a prince though!!!
I'm not very Disney savvy.
I haven't seen the traditional films - well when I was little I saw Snow White, but none since. I have only learnt the 'princesses' names from seeing them in the parks etc!!!
