She's the first black princess, yes, but she's also the first American princess, and her story is specifically the American Dream--our own national fairy-tale that we're a society without classes or aristocrats, in which hard work matters more than pedigree, and where it doesn't matter if you start out in a shack without two nickels to rub together, so long as you're willing to roll up your sleeves and get to work.
It's part of the logic behind the film's slacker prince. Where the European heroines (of ambiguous and unstated nationalities) were rescued from humdrum lives or bad situations by their princes charming and elevated to royalty, complete with a palace and servants and fancy dresses, Tiana instead rescues a lazy socialite and teaches him the value of work. In the end, we don't see them living the easy life in his castle, but working hard on and in her 'palace', where he's working alongside her.
That's not to say the story wouldn't work in an African setting, but it would have been like moving Mulan to Wisconsin: divorced from its social context, it loses a little something.
reply
share
Madragora
11 years ago
I love all your points! This is why I do love this version of the Princess and the Frog. I guess technically, she is the first American princess, because America wasn't yet a country during the time of Pocahontas. I believe Mulan would have not been as good if the story took place in America. Ancient China had some amazing stories and legends that stood the test of time. There are stories similar in Africa, but they don't seem to be highlighted because the continent hasn't been doing so well in the last few hundred years. They could have even did what was done for The Emperor's New Groove. You can tell it took place in South America, but that wasn't the main focus of the story. I love that movie as well!
reply
share