It’s a common running joke in Disney movies that parents are either dead or just have no significant impact on the protagonist. However, Disney is now far from the days of dead mothers, seemingly non-impactful fathers, and the overall lack of positive parental representation.
In Disney’s Revival Era, spanning from 2009 to the present, this portrayal has modernized, with more and more recent movies featuring themes of family and more “realistic” parent-child relationships. Even with occasional instances of fairy-tale cliches, Disney has adapted these one-dimensional behaviors into more authentic interpretations of traits we still encounter today.
The Princess and the Frog (2009) - James
James is Tiana’s father for those of you wondering. In fact, you may be thinking about who he is given his “invisible” role in the movie...because he’s a victim of the classic Disney parent trope: dead. So why would he be included in this list if he’s dead?
Tiana’s motivation throughout the movie is to open her own restaurant, just like her dad dreamed of. She holds fond memories from her youth cooking gumbo with him and serving her meals in their tiny yet close community. As an adult, she treasures these memories which are shown with her prized possession: a poster of a restaurant with “Tiana’s Place” written on it by her dad.
However, James doesn’t just influence her motivation but also the movie’s main conflict and themes.
Tiana’s misadventures in New Orleans are all caused by her significant need to fulfill her father’s wish, which she interprets literally instead of looking at his motivation: his family.
“Yes, you wish and you dream with all your little heart. But you remember, Tiana, that old star can only take you part of the way. You got to help him with some hard work of your own. And then... Yeah, you can do anything you set your mind to. Just promise your Daddy one thing? That you'll never, ever lose sight of what is really important. Okay?”
It’s easy to see how Tiana misinterpreted her father’s words, only hanging on to his advice for hard work and his vision of opening up his own restaurant, but, in the end, Tiana learns through her father’s life to never lose sight of or miss out on what’s truly important: building lifelong relationships with people she could call her family.
Tangled (2010) - Mother Gothel
Here’s an example of a classic cliché: Mother Gothel.
In her song, “Mother Knows Best,” Mother Gothel exaggerates multiple dangers of the outside world to scare Rapunzel - a classic manipulative tactic in gaslighting.
In simple terms, gaslighting is when the manipulator attempts to cause the victim to doubt and question their sanity and reality.
The subtle yet precise tactic of gaslighting occurs throughout the movie, especially in her scenes with Rapunzel. Ever wonder why she shifts her act ever so slightly whenever Rapunzel asks about venturing out of the tower? Each time this happens, she goes from friendly to “teasing” then—if needed—to menacing. In reality, her “teasing” downplays Rapunzel’s capabilities, causing the princess to doubt herself and go through bouts of indecision.
An iconic example of Mother Gothel’s gaslighting in action is her infamous quote, “You want me to be the bad guy? Fine, now I’m the bad guy.”
In one line, Mother Gothel depicts herself in the light of the unwilling captor through her words to stir some sympathy and guilt in the princess.
However, light these phrases may be, their impact is significant. Gaslighting leaves Rapunzel with constant doubt, recurring fear, and bouts of anxiety. But with the support of Eugene Fitzherbert (aka Flynn Rider) and her newfound experiences, Rapunzel eventually overcomes and recovers from this form of mental abuse, which is an incredible feat for victims of abuse.
Brave (2012) - Queen Eleanor
If you remember the movie Brave, chances are you also remember the montage of Merida’s princess life.
“A princess must..'' is Merida’s mother Eleanor’s usual dialogue in the earlier part of the movie. She critiques her daughter's behavior, wanting her to be a “proper princess” instead of a rowdy one—further exemplified by her wild hair. Eventually, all these tiny nit-pickings build up to the argument Merida and Eleanor have after the betrothal games.
In the heated exchange, you can see how Eleanor is dismissive of Merida’s life ambitions. Instead of listening to her daughter, Eleanor once again states what Merida should want.
“I’m your parent, I know what’s best for you.” Sounds familiar? It’s common for parents to decide on what’s best for their children, but this habit may cause them to disregard their children’s wants. Many times, kids may need guidance, but sometimes, all they may want to do is to make a choice for themselves.
In Brave, Merida, and Eleanor take one of two sides to the extreme, but it’s that perfect balance and discernment of judgment that fully maximizes their relationship.
When Eleanor is literally turned into a bear, she and Merida are forced to take time to understand each other, which leads them to resolve their differences and finally understand the other’s side. In this Scottish tale, Disney portrays the success of giving your children independence while guiding them to be who they could become — because, sometimes, all it really just takes is to listen.
Moana (2016) - Sina
After nearly 80 years, Disney finally releases a movie focusing on an indigenous princess and her culture: Moana. While their unique traditions were clearly shown, the practices of the Polynesian people when it comes to parenting were more generalized into a typical yet significant issue: tradition vs individuality. What’s more, central to Moana’s response to this conflict actually comes from her mother, Sina.
While Chief Tui is adamant about following tradition and Grandma Tala encourages her to follow her desires, Moana’s mother, Sina, shows unconditional support for her daughter’s choices. During the song, “Where You Are,” only Sina shows no preference for any of the sides. Whenever Moana would share her dream of sailing in the ocean, Sina would only show love and affection. She chooses to be the mediator between Moana’s two voices, guiding her instead of attempting to influence her.
One example of this is her disclosure of Chief Tui’s past. She never tries to support the chief’s actions, but she tries, instead, to help Moana understand. Eventually, this small act impactfully helps the heroine reflect on what she really wanted. When she figures out her calling, Sina once again supports her. In the reprise of “How Far I’ll Go,” which plays as Grandma Tala dies, Sina finds Moana preparing her supplies for a dangerous and prohibited journey. Instead of convincing her not to take the risk, she helps Moana pack and even gives her a parting hug. Although she shows fear and sadness in her face, Sina makes the bold choice to trust and support her daughter rather than control her.
Her actions appear in snippets. Nonetheless, Sina and her unconditional support lead Moana to trust herself and grow in her journey.
While there are parents shown to be more assertive, it’s truly those who choose to show support who make a lasting impact in the children’s lives.
Even though parents are seemingly invisible to Disney story-wise, their more recent involvement has added depth and shined a light on many relatable experiences. As this list of Disney parents expands, hopefully, Disney will continue to improve and adapt these figures into more positive and supportive characters. After all, most protagonists are shaped by their past, so who knows what impact a model parent could have.
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