Frozen went through several story iterations before settling on the version we saw. It was based on "The Snow Queen", and in early versions Elsa was the principle villain. This song was first composed in that context, and both its power and contradictions relate to how the story changed.
So, this song was originally how song of how the Princess became the Evil Snow Queen, and several of the lyrics are almost stereotypical of movie villains: "No right, no wrong, no rules for me" - that is almost word-for-word what Voldemort says.
And this is its power -- It is so well written and performed that we find ourselves cheering her transformation. And yet, as adults, we are aware of the contradictions. For children, Elsa is both terrific and terrifying. A role model, and a warning. These contradictions run deep.
In the context of the the story, we see the that Elsa is lying to herself throughout the song. She says that is "never going back", but we later see that she does still care for her sister and for Arendelle. Her bravado unravels as soon as it is challenged.
But perhaps we can just share this moment with her. She has had a seriously damaged childhood, from being told that she is a danger, that her natural powers must be hidden, that she is evil. Her creative skills have been suppressed. Her parents must surely rate as two of the most insidious villains in the Disney canon. So let us celebrate her freedom, her epiphany and the brilliance of her creativity.
Frozen went through several story iterations before settling on the version we saw. It was based on "The Snow Queen", and in early versions Elsa was the principle villain. This song was first composed in that context, and both its power and contradictions relate to how the story changed.
So, this song was originally how song of how the Princess became the Evil Snow Queen, and several of the lyrics are almost stereotypical of movie villains: "No right, no wrong, no rules for me" - that is almost word-for-word what Voldemort says.
And this is its power -- It is so well written and performed that we find ourselves cheering her transformation. And yet, as adults, we are aware of the contradictions. For children, Elsa is both terrific and terrifying. A role model, and a warning. These contradictions run deep.
In the context of the the story, we see the that Elsa is lying to herself throughout the song. She says that is "never going back", but we later see that she does still care for her sister and for Arendelle. Her bravado unravels as soon as it is challenged.
But perhaps we can just share this moment with her. She has had a seriously damaged childhood, from being told that she is a danger, that her natural powers must be hidden, that she is evil. Her creative skills have been suppressed. Her parents must surely rate as two of the most insidious villains in the Disney canon. So let us celebrate her freedom, her epiphany and the brilliance of her creativity.