The wonder and hope Disney movies installed in me at a very young age has been something I have held onto my entire life. What makes Disney productions so beautiful is the aim of teaching their younger audience valuable lessons by employing magic, love, integrity, kindness and respect - lessons that have the same, if not, an even greater impact on older viewers. As I’ve grown up, the messages in Disney movies have spoken louder and clearer to me than they did when I was younger, and have always left me with a new impression on people, situations, emotions and overall life. While some of course are uplifting and inspiring, others aren’t as much. My take on this at certain points is a little different and hard hitting, because in many ways there are lessons I truly believe no one was ever prepared to receive, but more than likely did. Here are a few things I’d like to share:
1. Loss and Grief
Seriously? That’s the first thing you learned from Disney, Ana? Is your soul made of darkness? No, not at all. I just think back on some Disney movies that left me with an aching heart, and in most of them, characters are forced to live on without a loved one, and even worse, without a parent. Mufasa dying in front of Simba, Bambi’s mom dying, Kerchak losing his life trying to protect Tarzan. In love, there is loss. Disney had a horrible way of showing us as kids that the comfort and safety of a parent is never guaranteed and can be taken away at any moment. Disney taught us what morality was. But with this, the movies show how being upset, sad and even heartbroken to the point of being lost and unsure of how to carry on, is normal. One thing the aforementioned films have in common is that through dealing with and eventually overcoming loss and grief, these characters have gained so much more and found peace in their loss.
2. Childhood isn't forever.
From Andy giving away Woody and the other toys to head off to college, Wendy saying goodbye to Neverland and Ariel saying goodbye to her father to live on land. The message that eventually you do leave the nest and have to let go is loud and clear. The beauty of it is that each of these characters holds onto childhood in their memory, which in itself is a great lesson.
3. Love is sacrifice.
Probably one of the greatest lessons. Jane gave up her ways of high society to be with Tarzan, Ariel gave up her voice in exchange of living on land with Eric, because she loved him. Bing Bong let his existence fade to save Riley and bring her joy again, Kerchak protected Tarzan because he finally saw him as his son, Sitka dies to save his family in Brother Bear. That all speaks for itself, really. When you truly love someone, you’d do anything for them, even if that meant self-sacrifice.
4. Loneliness can be your greatest destruction.
Elsa, Simba, Beast and Quasimodo are great examples. It is clear that once they let people in and chose to let love be part of their lives, their lives remarkably improve. I know that it’s a great trend at the moment to say “I don’t need anyone but myself” and “I’m better off alone,” but that isn’t true. We are meant to love and be loved, as cheesy as that sounds.
5. People are awful sometimes.
Although Disney does a great job at showing us the best of people, it also does a great job at showing us the worst. Disney shows that there is evil in the world, for no reason, and that in many cases, the worst people are the best at masking their horrible ways. Claude Frollo from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” hides his vicious and cruel ways behind religion. He mistreats and abuses Quasimodo without anyone even knowing. Cruella went to an extent in animal cruelty for no reason, Cinderella’s step mother and sisters were physically and emotionally abusive of her. It sheds light on the reality of people just being awful for the heck of it, but in this also encourages to be better people than they are.
6. You are capable.
Just like Mulan, you can do anything you set your mind to. If anyone defines character development, it’s her. Mulan leaves her home unable to act like a man and ends up being the hero and savior of China, along with one of the best soldiers. Remi is a rat who ends up being an incredible chef, he never doubted his abilities and pursued his passion. And countless other characters rise above what they are told they can’t accomplish, to accomplish exactly that.
7. Disney movies taught me to never settle.
Don’t settle when you have to make decisions for the future. Just like Merida, never allow a parent or anyone else decide your fate. Don’t settle when choosing the person you are going to spend your life with. Belle could have settled for Gaston, the man everyone encouraged her was the best choice, but he didn’t make her happy, so she chose to be on her own, which later led her to the Beast. Don’t settle for a mediocre life and fight for what you want, despite what others might say.
8. Love is forever.
The song “They Live in You” and overall the Lion King taught me your loved ones are with you forever. Those who have touched your heart and impacted your life are never truly gone and live within you through your choices in life and life itself.
9. Respect
This is seen in every Disney movie in at least one character. I’ll use Cinderella and Pocahontas as my examples. Cinderella shows kindness and respect to everyone and everything, even the tiny mice. Pocahontas shows it is OK to live differently and be different, it is just a necessity to be accepting and respectful of differences.
10. "A true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart."
Hercules taught me you can be so many things in life: fearless, courageous strong, rich and famous, but none of that matters if you are unable to be kind, compassionate and fail to have a good heart for those around you. Disney taught me what it is to have a good heart and live a life of kindness.
