Keeping up Hope in the Face of Darkness: The Strength of Walt Disney's Snow White and Cinderella
In 1989, a brilliant new generation of Disney animators and artists, who would go on to give us classics from The Lion King to Frozen and Moana in long, long careers, introduced us to a new breed of Disney Princess.
It was the 1980's. The social struggles of the 60's were triumphing.
Once suppressed minorities 'Black' and native, Asian and Mexican were learning that they, too, could do anything.
Little girls were learning that they could do anything.
And the world was introduced to Ariel.
She dreamed the dreams of a Neil Armstrong, dreamed of exploring far-off lands, of teaching her father that the people of those lands were good people.
Before being swept away by the prince, Ariel saves his life- twice!
A brilliant new generation of Disney artists had given the world of the 1980's the Disney Princess that they needed.
Let's go back. Way back.
In 1934 or so, when an artist by the name of Walt Disney began work on the world's first full-length animated movie, the world was a very different place.
Not that long ago, the Apocalypse had come upon the world.
World War I.
By 1934, the world economy had collapsed under the strain of rebuilding from the war.
Over in Europe, shadows of a second war as bad as the first were rising.
Fascists were rising.
The world had no time for empowerment.
They needed something else.
They needed to learn how to keep up hope in the face of fear and darkness.
They needed Snow White.
Snow White, who only briefly cries after a trusted friend tries to murder her.
Snow White, who, with no human friends and no home, and on the run from the evil Queen, cries only briefly before picking herself up off the ground and making a new life for herself.
Snow White who, far from dreaming of being rescued, goes right to work making the best of her very bad situation.
Sure, Snow White sings that she dreams of perhaps one day being swept away by a handsome prince- but only after the Dwarves specifically ask her about it.
Elsewhere, Snow White is not waiting to be rescued- she is quietly making the best of a very bad situation.
And she never gives up hope.
She never stops being kind.
She never stops being willing to help others- and this, and her kindness, gives her a new life, in the cottage with the seven dwarves.
Before the prince comes to sweep her away, Snow White has already made a new life for herself with the seven dwarves- by being kind and helping others, and by not giving up hope.
In 1937, the world needed Snow White, and Walt knew it.
In 1989, the world could sure use an Ariel- to help a happy, optimistic society grow and go places.
In 1989 we were hopeful and strong, looking forward.
We were ready for an Ariel to come and help us grow.
But in 1937, we needed Snow White.
When the chips were down, we turned to something deeper.
Kindness. Hope. Love.
'Faith, Hope and Love were some good things He gave us. And the greatest is Love.'
We still had Snow White to represent those values in 1989.
And not just Snow White.
We had Cinderella.
In 1950, Walt Disney still believed in the values that Snow White represented.
And those values are represented once again in 1950- by Cinderella.
Cinderella, who never gives up hope despite growing up in a house where she is abused.
Who despite the abuse, never gives in to anger, and remains kind to all.
Who never gives in to hope.
Who never forms a bad opinion of herself in the face of abuse.
Who has no idea how to get out of it, for she has no one to take her in anywhere else, and no money, but who never gives in to despair.
Who when the prince falls in love with her, accepts it.
Never once thinks that she is not worthy.
Cinderella too is strong and has faith in the face of darkness.
Cinderella remains kind and hopeful in the face of abuse.
And accepts it when she is rescued.
Is able to put it behind her, and embrace a happy new life.
Cinderella kept up hope in the face of darkness.
Just like Snow White.
Ariel has things to teach us.
So do Snow White and Cinderella.
Today America needs Snow White's message as much as it needs Ariel's.
And Snow White's message will always be important.
Hope in the face of darkness.
Snow White and Cinderella.
Thank you, Walt!
God loves you!
Sincerely,
David S. Annderson