Rebecca’s Almost There
Certain women are career
driven. They won’t let anything stand in
their way of making their dreams come true and believe that hard work and relying
on themselves is the only way to get the job done. This description fits Tiana, the ambitious
woman from New Orleans who desires to open her own restaurant to keep her
Daddy’s dream alive. Rebecca possesses a
strong sense of loyalty, determination, and strength. Right now, she is working two jobs, like
Tiana, to pay her way through college classes and eventually make it into law
school. Sometimes, it feels like more
than she can handle. In her interview, Rebecca
told me that Tiana taught her something about her own life. “My mind is focused, and I forget to enjoy
the journey,” just as Naveen had taught Tiana to slow down and enjoy what life
was offering her. It’s all about the
memories you make along the path to your dreams that shape your character. Rebecca admitted that she has needed to dig a
little deeper within herself to humbly accept help and force herself to slow
down. Once she does though, life
doesn’t seem as hectic.
Kaitlyn- When Will My Life
Begin?
Kaitlyn is my youngest
interviewee, so Rapunzel’s restlessness at the beginning of Tangled hits close to home. When asked why she picked Rapunzel as her
favorite, she explained, “She is just so artistic and bubbly and sweet. She was sheltered in her life. I was sheltered in my life. She looks like me with my green eyes and
brown hair. That, and she wields a
frying pan. I mean, come on.”
Kaitlyn also loves that
Punzie listens to her conscience and refuses to do something that would
compromise her beliefs, while still being compassionate. They are both children at heart, enjoying the
little things in life that make them laugh.
They also love to doodle, whether it’s on homework, in sketch pads, or with
computer programs. No matter what, they
see the light within everyone.
Conclusion: “The Happiest Place
on Earth”
Disney was a huge part of my
life growing up. I’d sing the songs from
the movies constantly, read Disney books, reenact movie scenes with my toys,
and constantly quote lines from my favorite films. I was under the impression though that at
some point, you have to outgrow such childishness and prepare yourself for
adulthood. When I went to Disneyland
when I was sixteen, I thought I was too old to dress up to meet characters and
take my pictures with them. Then I saw a
Korean couple, wearing bride and groom Mouse Ears, taking pictures and pointing
at the different attractions. I thought,
“They picked Disneyland to go for their honeymoon?” That’s when I realized it’s not about liking
little kid movies.
Disney movies make you feel
like a kid again, where you see the world through innocent, carefree eyes. The stories cause you to feel, sometimes pure
absurdity that makes you giggle uncontrollably or an overwhelming, almost
indescribable feeling that gives you goosebumps; causes you to cry; or makes
you feel like you can accomplish anything.
You find you can relate to the pain a character is feeling or the hopes
she has. Disney makes you feel alive.
Buying Disney products,
decorating your house, wearing Disney attire- it’s all a way to continue
feeling something from those movies. Rebecca
explained that when she buys Pocahontas
and Princess and the Frog
merchandise, “It’s a reminder of what they stand for. They keep me on my p’s and q’s. My little bit of a reminder.” It’s recreating the magic inside of your
hearts.
When I asked my friends if
they thought their love for Disney princesses was unhealthy, I received a universal
response.
“No,” Lucy responded
quickly, “it’s not unhealthy. Twilight is unhealthy. An obsession with Disney is perfectly fine.”
Jazz acknowledged, “I know
your happy ending won’t be perfect, but it is worth it in the end.”
As for Nani, “I know the
feminist perspective…but I don’t care. I
just love Disney…I want to be a princess…and catered to. I understand it’s a movie. It’s nice to think, dream, and hope about.”
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