Disney's Brave: Feminist Role Model or Stroppy Teenager?

WARNING. SPOILERS!!!

I am never one to pass up a Disney film, especially one about a fiery red-haired Scottish Princess with Billy Connelly as her dad. AWESOME. If you want to win me over, take me somewhere where I can watch a Disney film and put up with my endless emotional sobbing at the happy, sad and exciting moments. Yes, I am an emotional wreck, but if you do put up with that, I will love you forever. 

The film follows the story of Scottish teen Princess, Merida, who has spent her whole life being educated on what a Princess should be like but is, in fact, the anti-Princess. Her mother dictated what she wore, what she did, what she learnt and so on, all with the goal of becoming the perfect woman and ideal future Queen (queue feminist rant about how women aren't just for show and that we need a voice. Probably from Merida, as a matter of fact!) As one would expect from the promotion, Merida is a rebellious child, who enjoys riding through the Glen and practicing with her bow and arrow at any possible moment: much to her mother's dismay, of course. Following an awkward but hilarious presentation of suitors (totally and utterly unappealing to Merida), the protagonist has a huge argument with her mother over what she should do with her life. I know this argument. It's a typical occurrence between a teenage girl and her mother. Mum wants one thing, daughter wants another. There is a huge, irrational fight about how mum won't let you do things your way, but mum thinks you are being selfish and immature. Of course, it ends with something like "I wish you weren't my mum", "I hate you" or "I wish you were dead" (come on, we have all said it at least once, don't deny it!). Then later, once cooled off, both moan on at themselves about how it should have gone and form a rational argument that they will never present. This is typical and it happens pretty much to this exact specification in Brave, only in this, the daughter rides off into the forest, finds a witch and makes a spell to change her mum (and her fate), only to have disastrous and amusing consequences. Imagine if we could all do that! The world would be insane! 

Ok, so at the moment, she just appears to be a typical teenage girl fighting out against her mother's authority. In a way, I suppose, this is a form of feminism in itself. You know, fighting out against authority/patriarchy/mum, wanting to go your own way, make your own mistakes, be your own woman and not be told what to do or who to marry. Of course, in Merida's case, effectively having an arranged marriage as opposed to one based upon love,she has a foot to stand on in her opposition. 

Maybe, then, she is a feminist role model. If we look at the underlying message of the film, aside from the whole, appreciate-your-mother-because-if-she-turns-into-a-bear-it-will-be-awkward situation, it is about an opinionated young woman trying to change the rules and gain the right to do and marry as she pleases. I suppose that's similar to what feminists have been doing all along: fighting the patriarchy. Merida is fighting for her equal rights, as a woman, and freedom of choice. In this way, Merida is the alternative role model, who should encourage young girls to break through the stereotype of the 'Princess culture'. Merida is not a flailing, pretty in pink Princess, waiting to be whisked away by her prince charming. No, as I have already mentioned, she is an independent young woman who doesn't need a man to save her from her mistakes; she can do that all by herself, thank you very much! She won't let anyone tell her what to do. Whilst it's not advisable that we tell young girls to go to the extreme and fight the system so much that we end up with a bunch of radical 7 year old girls refusing to do anything girly and fighting against the patriarchy in obscure ways (although it would be funny), the film is, in fact, teaching young and impressionable girls everywhere not to settle for money etc. over love. It teaches them that it's ok to have an opinion, to be your own person and break the mould. It teaches them that it may be a struggle at times to get others to realise your potential and dreams, but it will happen eventually and things will be better for it. 

Merida is the Disney Princess we have been waiting for. Someone for the new age who embraces feminism and the modern woman. Whilst she expresses some of the teenage angst so common among us girls, its only purpose is to further the storyline and bigger message. On a whole, this film is enjoyable for all ages. It doesn't have the adult 'in jokes' of other Pixar creations, but it is nonetheless one of my top Disney/Disney-Pixar films of all time. If I was 7, I would want to be Merida, I would want to dress up like her and act like her because she is the Princess I can/could associate with and the kind of Princess I would like to be. Good on Pixar for this, you have done womankind proud. 


P.S. The animated short beforehand is so cute, you will explode at how adorable the premise is!