Faculty Sponsor
Nichole Bogarosh, Whitworth University
Research Project Abstract
This paper examines current cultural expressions of the princess character contrasting idealized fictional models from mainstream films and other media to authentic royal ideals. Modern imagery in film and print deemphasize true royal princess models and characteristics versus illusory roles. Characteristics of courage, beauty, grace, purity, intelligence, gentleness, and reserved or youthful behavior are associated with the proper representation consistent with the expectations and roles within fictional Disney princesses or “fairytale” females. Contrasting non-fictional royalty such as Princess Diana Spencer and Kate Middleton against these idealized virtues connected with this categorization of females provides actual factual models, and refutes dominance of these perceptions. This paradigm shift examines personality traits like tenacity, decisiveness, maturity, wisdom, political aptitude and sometimes learned behaviors, often in response to social demands and culture. Additionally, the consistency of these roles and the ideal princess archetype and ideology, both in fictional and true life narratives, are investigated.
Session Number
RS6
Location
Robinson 141
Abstract Number
RS6-d
The Ideal Princess, the Perfect Woman
Robinson 141
This paper examines current cultural expressions of the princess character contrasting idealized fictional models from mainstream films and other media to authentic royal ideals. Modern imagery in film and print deemphasize true royal princess models and characteristics versus illusory roles. Characteristics of courage, beauty, grace, purity, intelligence, gentleness, and reserved or youthful behavior are associated with the proper representation consistent with the expectations and roles within fictional Disney princesses or “fairytale” females. Contrasting non-fictional royalty such as Princess Diana Spencer and Kate Middleton against these idealized virtues connected with this categorization of females provides actual factual models, and refutes dominance of these perceptions. This paradigm shift examines personality traits like tenacity, decisiveness, maturity, wisdom, political aptitude and sometimes learned behaviors, often in response to social demands and culture. Additionally, the consistency of these roles and the ideal princess archetype and ideology, both in fictional and true life narratives, are investigated.
