The movie Frozen (2013) provided a wide range of meanings for children, including the meaning for children having special powers. In this context the meaning of the powers served to set Elsa apart from the remainder of her family and her sister Anna. From a familial perception, the close attachment shared by the sisters was shattered by the accident. This in turn illustrates the point that Children possessing special powers must be set apart and isolated in order to ensure the safety of the rest. Extending this point, the love dynamic of the family shifted in order to accommodate Elsa’s needs, making her attributes responsible for them having to shut the gates and the kingdom away.
Frozen (2013) addressed the attachment needs in an instructive manner, illustrating the dangers inherent in every situation. In order to ensure the biological need for survival, the parents of the sisters took steps to ensure their survival in two primary ways. For Anna it was deemed appropriate to remove her memories, thereby protecting her survival by removing the temptation. By severing the attachment with Elsa’s special abilities, and in many ways Elsa herself, the family was ensuring the continuation of the biological line. For Elsa, the development of a method of repression and isolation was found to be the best course. This removed her from the normal family and social scenes, in effect severing each of the attachments that she had held previous to the accident. This course of action was deemed necessary in order to preserve Elsa, and her life, thereby furthering the biological need to continued survival and growth within the family.
Both sisters exhibited several prominent personality characteristics. Elsa, the older sibling was independent and studious prior to the accident, with a clear need for love and affection from her younger sister. Further, this time showcased Elsa’s willingness to let loose and remove herself from the cares of the world, allowing her to relax. Following the accident, Elsa’s regressed into a depressive state that served to protect herself and her psyche. By focusing on her parents and the ability to control, and virtually eliminate her powers, she found a measure of safety. Anna, the younger sibling, was a fun loving and care free sister that served to propel her sister into adventure. Her personality did not shift as fundamentally as Elsa, with Anna retaining much of her carefree and loyal spirit, as evidenced by her unswerving loyalty and desire reach out and communicate with her sister.
The four characters that had a remarkable relationship with Elsa and Anna were Prince Hans, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven. Prince Hans played the role of the stranger, of the unknown quantity that on first blush serves to provide the perception of protection. This character served to define the meaning of too much trust with no knowledge on the part of Anna, the younger sister. By following the first rush of the crush, Anna made herself vulnerable to the unknown villain in the form of Hans. Even though he was handsome and appealing the, real person was not a reflection of the outside. Olaf, the snowman created by Elsa, was a reminder of the happy moments in her childhood that had been repressed in the effort to remove the possibility of harm. With the second incarnation of Olaf, unintended on the part of Elsa, the Queen illustrated that she had an inner core that was reaching out for healing and the desire to not be as isolated as she found herself then. In a very real way, Olaf represents the childhood still present in the adult, the potential to retrieve the fun and magic of being a child. Kristoff, the ice finder, was a true friend and love to Anna, providing a contrasting personality that sought to really protect her, as opposed to Hans’s attempts to user her and her position. In a real sense, Kristoff served to build a foundation for real friendship and true unflinching love that had the capacity to save a life. Sven, the reindeer, serves to provide the final push that the main characters need to realize that all true things come without conditions. This is real lesson that kids can grasp and reflect on, allowing them the opportunity to try new friendships and relationships without any preconceptions.
The Trolls serve to illustrate the kindness of strangers, and possibilities that remain out there when there is no family. Providing a home to Kristoff and Sven as babies, this illustrates that not all family has to be borne of blood ties, that emotion and caring play a fundamental role in the creation of positive relationships. They connect to Frozen (2013) to the fairy tales by creating the perception of endurance and antiquity, of having been there before and therefore the story is a part of history. By speaking with the voice of experience the Trolls represent the learned folk that hold the opportunity for solutions.
Anna demonstrates the significance of trust and what trust means for children in two significant ways. Beginning with a demonstration of trust too readily given, Anna illustrates that a friendship must be based on long lasting relationship founded in honesty and togetherness. Further, this first example demonstrates that person has their own motivation that may or may not be related to what that person needs or desires. The second trust example, her love for Elsa, serves to show that not all things are as clear as they seem. Even though Elsa had Frozen (2013) the city and fled the city, Anna was certain that no harm would come to her, trusting in the love and affection that the sisters still felt from the beginning.
Frozen (2013) and this emotional foundation serves to show that hope is never truly lost as long as love is present. Much like Hansel and Gretel, there is a touch of loyalty and love that serves to protect and define the sisters throughout their adventures. Further, the conclusion of their mutual exploits serves benefit the entire kingdom, demonstrating to children that there is more at stake than any one person, that in fact there is a whole world that can be impacted by their actions and decisions.
Friendship and love similar to Frozen (2013) is found in Sleeping Beauty. With the theme of hidden motivations and thwarted love, each of these stories serves to reflect the social constraints of sensitive emotion.
Frozen (2013) teaches us that adventure is good and bad, necessary and full of danger. With similarities to Cinderella, the story shows us that even among the glitter and glamour there is the sharp edges that serve to cut and tear. With the ice serving to illustrate the cooling or freezing of any possible progress, the entire movie teaches children that moderation is key and vital to success.
References
Buck, C., Lee, J., Lee, J., Andersen, H., Bell, K., Menzel, I., & Groff, J. (2014). Frozen (2013).IMDb. Retrieved 31 May 2014, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294629/
