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Essay / Cross-Identities and Gender Schemas in Film
A person's existence can be “approved” when that identity has been recognized in society; and what does it mean if identities are fluid and constantly changing throughout life? Cross-identities are an integral part of life, provided we recognize how and why our core selves change. Gender patterns seem more complex to me in the sense that, as people, we have less control over others than we do over ourselves; for example, let's say I'm walking down the street with what I think is a very nice fake mustache and someone yells at me, outraged for doing such a reprehensible thing as a woman. I really liked that fake mustache (for many reasons only I know), but now I'm just too embarrassed to put it on – I really wish I could wear it more often... Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original EssayMerida is the main protagonist of the film “Brave”, throughout the film and its development she demonstrates the values of feminism existential. Mérida apparently represented a reversal of trend for the Disney princess phenomenon. The only other princess before "Brave" to find herself single (or at least enjoying some sort of romance) was Pocahontas; therefore, Mérida is the first completely non-romantic princess who ultimately paves the way for other films like "Frozen" and "Moana". At the same time, Merida in some ways illustrated a regression for the Disney Princess franchise - why are her goals or processes similar to those of Pocahontas, Mulan, Ariel or Jasmine? With these seemingly different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds that all of these characters possess, an audience member shouldn't be afraid to ask, "Does this movie add anything new to the Disney Princess lineup?" Maybe it would have been better if it wasn't part of Disney, and therefore basically not comparable? Even if it's not the world we live in, so we have to compare. Disney already has a combative, self-centered redhead princess in Ariel, or a warrior archetype in Mulan, or rather “Brave” only had a year to establish a heroine before “Frozen” came along with Elsa and Anna. However, Ariel will start the trend of young girls seeing themselves in a different light and creating a new role model. She was the first Disney princess to show off her sex appeal by wearing a bikini made of seashells. the antithesis of Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Ariel also does not submit to authority and at least desires to be her own person; she was the first to sing about wanting to be different and was curious by nature – she would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. Sound familiar? Like Ariel, Mulan shares the same spunky and independent nature but doesn't spend her time focusing on love. Mulan fights and abandons her female identity to fight alongside men and defeat the Huns. Through this turmoil, Mulan rediscovers her value and identity by shedding everything her culture told her to be. Mulan differs from Ariel in that she is not a damsel in distress because she does not need a prince to save her. Fortunately, this is where “Brave” honors the power of young women who decide on their own that the capacity for human growth depends on themselves. But what about boys? Language differences and gender patterns are complex, but children's films should represent them too..!