The True Meaning Behind ‘Happily Ever After’
Princess, it’s about damn time you learn to be a Queen
Hear ye! Hear ye! I have come to tell the tale of the people who helped raise the women of today. You may be thinking of teachers, parents, or great influential leaders, but these people, oh, they have better connections with those little girls. Disney Princesses, that’s what they are called. They possessed qualities, which through time has evolved — and shall continually do so. From meek little dolls to strong feisty ravens — the world is forsooth changing and so are these young women.
Once upon a time in a fictional land, there lived an evil vain Queen. “Who’s the fairest of them all?” She asked her Magic Mirror. It’s a question that always had the same answer; it has always been her. “Who’s the fairest of them all?” She asked once more. There was a pause, however, as the question now bore a different answer. That was the same day our first Princess set forth, she had lips red as rose and skin white as snow. Her name is Snow White (Snow White And The Seven Dwarves, 1937) and she was alluring, innocent, and kind — simply everything ideal for a lady in her time. Another meek lady lived in France, she wore slippers made of glass. They called her Cinderella (Cinderella, 1950), after the ash. She was launched at a decade when women were gravely domesticated. Among all Disney Princesses, she must be the most tired. She did chores every day, fortunately it didn’t last. Oh, the rewards a woman shall reap for scrubbing floors and having small feet. You can dislike her as you may, but her story inspired tales we know of today. Following the steps of dear Snow White, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty, 1959), too, slept her way to a man. What is it with women being cured by a sir’s mouth? “I know a guy!” She exclaimed to the birds and the owl by the stream. Apparently, she met him “once upon a dream.” A true love’s kiss shall wake her from her zizz. Well, of course, it had to be the Prince — but, please, hear me out for this. The King and Queen sacrificed to live far from their daughter, and; three Fairy Godmothers abstained from magic powers. The Prince met her twice, did nothing bearable or even the least kind, for some reason however, he’s the superior lover.
Ariel (The Little Mermaid 1989) called a fork a dinglehopper, but don’t laugh at her. I know you yelled, “Nemo,” for every clownfish you saw. She may be a bit unwise, but she’s the first Princess with a fully-functioning mind. She learned about streets, fire, pipes, and anything human she could find. However, one look at a white boy, and she immediately wanted toes. She saved a Prince’s life and put him ashore. Ursula said to her, “The men up there, they don’t like a lot of blabber.” Ariel gave up her voice because she thought she could get away with just a swagger. However, she failed to realize that women have evolved. So, she signed a contract that is practically void. She thought Ursula was nice and was doing her a favor. Her heart broke once she realized that a mere pretty face doesn’t work anymore. Oh, geez, pass it on, so others will know. Somehow, her call was heard by another lady from France. Belle (Beauty And The Beast, 1991) taught us all that true love is not based on how you look — for men, at least. What were you expecting, Average Looking Girl and The Beast? No one likes to read about that, mon cheri. She claimed to love reading, yet only read about Prince Charming. Like, lady, leave that provincial life already and learn about taste and content quality! As we skip town, a whole new world brings a Princess of her word. “I’m not a prize to be won,” Princess Jasmine (Aladdin, 1992) yelled at her Father. He shook his head and said, “It’s the law, mi amor.” I bet she whispered, “try me, bitch,” and left them hanging by their jaws.
Speaking of merges, Pocahontas (Pocahontas, 1995) kissed a colonizer after being bombed and called a savage. Still and all, she earns my respect for having plans other than marriage. She possessed bravery and a whole lot of courage. After all, the third wave of feminism has emerged. It’s about time we pay attention to women of color and ethnicity all around the world. She was down on the field and handled disputes. Don’t you dare say that women have no use — I promise — you won’t get any woos. A warrior’s daughter proved that men and women can get into battles just the same. Fa Mulan (Mulan, 1998) is her name and equal rights is her game. I think I heard her say, “fuck toxic masculinity,” as she killed men when she set started a flame. Do you want to know why she never passed as a perfect bride? It’s because she was born to hold a sword and become China’s pride. See, I told you, times have changed. Women are now able to make the world a better place. A Princess is no longer just a pretty face and a knight in shining armor is no longer just male.
By this time, I hope you finally know that girls aren’t always into grand palace balls. Tiana (The Princess And The Frog, 2009) was the first Princess with entrepreneurial goals. To hell with fairy godmothers, she made it all happen by not depending on others. “Dream big,” — she said — just like Rapunzel (Tangled, 2010) from Tangled, who was locked in a tower with someone who she thought was her mother. More than paintings and chores, she has always wanted to see more. She was able to escape without magic powers. Well, okay, she had Flynn Rider, yet she saved that man’s life at least twice. “Mother doesn’t always know best,” would be Rapunzel’s advice, especially to an Irish lady who is known as Miss Bride Price. Her shoulders were broad as her arrows flew aboard. Merida (Brave, 2012) thought her mother was a handful, so — into a grizzly bear — she had her transformed. She regretted it most, but at least they both learned. Merida learned to not make decisions at the height of emotion, while the Queen found it in her heart to respect the path her daughter has chosen. Speaking of young girls hating their guardians, Moana (Moana, 2016) stole a raft and left her island. “Stay within the edge of the water,” her old man warned. However, she happened to be more determined than that. The wind brought Pocahontas wherever, but Moana lived to tell that girls can fight the water. What I liked most about her is that she didn’t possess beauty that’s considered conventionally gorgeous. She had curly hair, a button nose, and not a petite stick figure.
“Will there ever be a princess,” you may wonder, “with every good card of her predecessor?” A lady with a heart as kind as Aurora or loving to family as Ariel; one with independence like Tiana or wits as good as Belle; one with bravery like Merida or a hero of her land like Mulan; one with determination like Moana or hopeful eyes like Cinderella. The thing is, a woman as such would surpass the scene; a Princess as powerful shall be named Queen.
At first, she didn’t want to be seen, as fear and insecurity kept her in. She was locked in her ice tower while the snow got deeper and deeper every passing hour. Eventually, she couldn’t hold it back anymore, so she decided to turn away and slam the door. She is Queen Elsa of Arendale. You may call her many names, but one thing is she’s never frail. She found a loving family in her sister; she doesn’t need a Fairy Godmother; there’s no king, so she’s the one in power, and; she’s not waiting for a knight in shining armor. I’d call her a Princess with the most power, then I remembered that title wasn’t enough to describe her.
Giselle and Nancy (Enchanted, 2007) showed that there’s no need to pit women against one another. They can thrive equally and live happily ever after. You know, there doesn’t always need to be an Evil Queen with creepy roaring laughter. Women, too, can straighten each other’s crowns and look after one another. Contrary to whatever belief, they are far more reasonable and keen. Maleficent (Maleficent, 2014) came and said, “I don’t hate for no reason.” Turns out, a man had her fooled for an entire season. The narrative has now been revised. Some women can’t anymore be put aside. Those who you find to be so bad may just be simply hurting deep inside.
So, Princess, learn to dominate the scene and be a Queen. Embrace the beauty of bravery, courage, independence, and mostly kindness. You are perfectly imperfect, which makes you the best. We’re in the 21st Century, so don’t let yourself be repressed. You are beautiful with or without make-up, dressed or undressed. If the “prince charming” doesn’t serve you well, put the relationship to an end. Trust your voice and speak of them a little louder. You need not be afraid to brush the weight off your shoulders. The era of romanticizing partnerships with men has come to and end. If anything, thrive to be bolder and stronger. Only then will you find the true meaning behind happily ever after.
