I just finished reading the princess article, and I think there are parts of recent Disney movies that you breezed over.

For instance, you argue that Ariel is an example of how Disney princesses are not damsels in distress. In fact, you claim that Ariel "took charge of her own life in order to get what she wanted." While that would be a very empowering message for young girls, it simply does not exist in the film. Instead, Ariel has to give up her VOICE to get the "hottie at the end of the story."

Without her voice, Ariel can simply seduce Eric through her sexualitybatting her eyelashes and acting coy. Does he really get to know and love Ariel? No. Eric is just interested in her looks. "The Little Mermaid" sends the message that girls just need to be beautiful to get boys. This surely is not a message of empowerment.

Another princess you mention is Belle. While she is arguably the most intelligent Disney princess, the film is layered with messages of domestic violence. The Beast is a scary and horrible creature who even looks like he is going to strike Belle at one point in time. But the film illustrates how Belle changes him and brings out his good side.

In the film "Mickey Mouse Monopoly," youngs girls were interviewed after watching the film. When asked about the Beast's temper, the girls said that if people (especially men) are mean and violent, the girls just have to be nice to them because then they will change.

What a great message for young girls to pick up on! Stay in that either verbal, physical, or emotionally abusive realtionship. If you're nice, he will change.

There are many other examples of how Disney princess films support traditional gender stereotypes and a patriarchal society while hiding under this mask of feminism, so I highly disagree with the fact that the Disney princesses should be left alone. While these are just stories, as an English major Maggie should know that literature reflects the culture in which it was written. So it is important to examine why our patriarchal society is still creating these images today.

Time does not need to calm down. Time needs to keep speaking up.