Recently, I read a blog
online that talked about how Disney has finally
begun to represent the LGBTQ community, and maybe in a way that we didn’t think
was that obvious.
Could
Queen Elsa from Frozen be a lesbian? Coming from a family and working at a day
care that has definitely taken part in the Elsa epidemic, I never thought Elsa
to be anything but a princess with a frozen secret,
but that may not be the case after all. Before I start to touch upon the events
in Elsa’s life that could very well represent her being lesbian, Frozen could
quite possibly have an obvious gay
family. Whether you noticed it during the first (or 1,000th) view of
the movie, Oaken, the man from “Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post Sauna” having
the “Big Summer Blowout… Yoo hoo!” offers one of the characters, Kristoff the
sauna package, and then introduces his family.
If you look carefully at the
picture it looks like the man in the middle is seen to represent Oaken’s
husband, and their 4 children; his
family. And with just a brief moment
of screen time Oaken has possibly become a major character in Disney’s approach
to normalize the LGTBQ community on the Pixar screen.
But,
what is it about Elsa makes it possible that she’s a lesbian? Well, to start,
Elsa has a secret. Everybody knows that Elsa’s secret is that she holds the
ability to create snow and ice with her hands. But does Elsa’s secret have a
deeper meaning? When Elsa was younger, her and her sister Anna played together
with Elsa’s powers never thinking twice about them. Could this be related to
children not judging others based on their sexuality until they are told not to
accept it? The pair was unstoppable and accepting of Elsa, that is, until her
parents insisted that Elsa keep it to herself, and to never let anybody know.
When Elsa can no longer hide these “powers” and makes them known to everybody
in public, they are infuriated. Elsa
is a monster, because it’s something they have never seen before, something
they don’t understand.
As
soon as Elsa leaves on her own, she feels herself. She is not ashamed to use
these “powers” to represent herself where she cannot be judged for something she cannot control.
And of
course, Elsa’s most famous part of the movie: “Let It Go!” She literally says:
“Couldn’t keep it in, heavens know I’ve tried,” could she be
referring to her sexuality?
“Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them know. Well know they
know!” possibly referring to parents demand that her “secret” remain secret? Well now they know!
“I don’t care what they’re going to say!” Elsa accepting
herself because of whom she is?
And finally, Elsa’s ending line: “The cold never bothered me anyway.” Could this be Disney’s way of having Elsa express that being gay never bothered her anyway, Elsa embraces her “power,” and quite possibly her sexuality.
The very obvious
finale to the entire movie is that Elsa does not find her prince at the end of
this Disney classic, like all the others do. Instead, she finds true love in
the acceptance of herself, and more importantly her sister, who always seemed
to love her anyways, despite Elsa’s differences. After pushing everyone away
because she knew she was different, Elsa comes to terms with herself when she
“Lets it go” by accepting herself which therefore allows her to be in control
of her powers, just as she was as a child before she was taught to be ashamed
of who she was and of something that she could not control. With Elsa accepting
herself could she be coming to terms with her sexuality, letting her sister
love her for who she is, and learn to not be ashamed of something that she
could not control, could this all be a representation of her being a lesbian?
What do you think? Is Elsa a confused blonde with an ice power nobody understands, or is there an
underlying message about this Ice Queen?
After having read your entry, I can see how it can supported that Elsa is a lesbian. I have seen the movie once and heard the songs too many times to count. I can think back to the movie while reading your blog to kind of support your idea on her being a lesbian and Disney's way of introducing lesbianism. When it comes to the underlying message I remember thinking it was simply nobody's perfect, every one is unique in their own way and that it is alright to be different. I thought it more of a lesson from the viewers to not judge people right away. But as I said, your blog entry got me thinking that it was Disney's way of gradually showing same sex preference.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I did notice that she didn't end up with a prince of her own. It being a Disney movie and from the previews it appearing that she was the main character, I was convinced this was about her and, sure, eventually ending up with her happily ever after. I was surprised to see her sister as a major character too not just secondary and seeing her end up with two men fighting for her instead. It did make me wonder about Elsa. I figured it was just a way for Disney to show the viewers that not every woman needs a man and rescuing.
Also, thanks for the Oaken and his family portrait revelation. I didn't catch it while watching the film.
Aside: Merida from Brave never found a "prince" and she was never thought of as being a lesbian.
ReplyDeleteWhile I appreciate your interest in an alternative theory to some of the storyline of Frozen, I find it a little dangerous. Your desire to label Elsa as a specific sexual orientation is actually harmful. Our society is very focused on these types of labels. Labelling puts people into boxes, and instantly stereotypes them. Can you really "tell" if someone is a lesbian, unless they tell you.
In the world we live in you are either a feminist or a misogynist, a Republican or a Democrat, an activist or a pacifist, religious or an atheist, and you are either gay or straight. Gay or straight has expanded in some minds to bisexual, transgender, and questioning, but for much of society these are unfamiliar or uncommon. We do not need to label people in such ways. Even the male or female label is a struggle for some people. Labeling only adds legitimacy to the idea that what you "are" changes how much you are valued or accepted.
An excellent take on an excellent animated movie. After watching Frozen for the first time it was very clear this was not your normal Disney princess movie. My interpretation was that Elsa's secret was depression, symbolized by the cold surrounding her and her desire to shut others out. However, it is clear regardless that this an empowering movie for young girls and everyone, as it does not result in a knight-in-shining-armor or romance as the answer to all problems; the love for her sister is enough to save the day. I'm excited and refreshed by the new direction of Disney's movies.
ReplyDeleteI'm very familiar with Frozen since I've watched it more times than I'd like to admit and listen to the soundtrack in my car. :)
ReplyDeleteThe possibility of Elsa being a lesbian never crossed my mind. Your alternative theory is very interesting and compelling, but I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. My theory is that Disney's next princess will be a open lesbian, but I don't think Elsa is her. Disney is conforming to the "new" for lack of a better word, movements towards feminism and LGBTQ acceptance. Elsa doesn't need a prince to save her like most of the other Disney princesses. She is a strong and independent woman. Is she a feminist? If Disney wanted Elsa to be a lesbian, I think they would have made it obvious.
I've seen Frozen too many times to count and I had never noticed this. I think I never noticed Elsa not ending up with a Prince or there being two dads in a scene because I would have never expected that from an animated Disney movie. I love that Disney has been showing their support and giving such a new and refreshing feel to Disney movies and television!
ReplyDelete