So, in case you do not already know this about me, I am a little more than slightly obsessed with Frozen. (Spoiler alert, this post will have spoilers. If you haven't seen the movie, please go watch it. I'll wait . . . OK, so on with the post.).
I watched Frozen again the other day, and I was once again struck by the manifestations of Elsa's powers, and how her parents did her more harm than good by telling her to conceal her powers and suppress her feelings, "Don't let them in. Don't let them see. Be the good girl you always have to be. Conceal, don't feel. Don't let them know, well now they know." If you look at what Elsa does with her powers, a lot of it has to do with her control and confidence.
The first time we see her use her powers, as a young girl, the things she makes are not harmful or scary. They are not overly artful or creative, but they are intentional and not dangerous, at least until she loses control and accidentally strikes Anna in the head. Here her parents run off with the girls and Pabbie, the troll king(?), and he tells Elsa's parents:
It seems to me, the fear Pabbie mentions is not so much the fear others might have for Elsa and her powers, but her fear of herself. Whenever she is afraid, and her powers burst from her, the things she makes are scary, spiky, and ominous. But, when she is feeling confident and free, what she creates is very refined and beautiful. Just look at her "fortress of solitude." The ice castle she makes is incredible, and how could I forget Olaf, she makes the most amazing and loving, living snowman.
I think Elsa provide us with a good lesson in loving ourselves and being strong and confident with our abilities, talents, and gifts. I think we all have the potential to do very good or very bad things with the abilities we are given.
How Elsa's powers manifest when she is afraid:
What she can do when she feels confident and in control:
I watched Frozen again the other day, and I was once again struck by the manifestations of Elsa's powers, and how her parents did her more harm than good by telling her to conceal her powers and suppress her feelings, "Don't let them in. Don't let them see. Be the good girl you always have to be. Conceal, don't feel. Don't let them know, well now they know." If you look at what Elsa does with her powers, a lot of it has to do with her control and confidence.
The first time we see her use her powers, as a young girl, the things she makes are not harmful or scary. They are not overly artful or creative, but they are intentional and not dangerous, at least until she loses control and accidentally strikes Anna in the head. Here her parents run off with the girls and Pabbie, the troll king(?), and he tells Elsa's parents:
Grand Pabbie: It's for the best. Listen to me, Elsa, your power will only grow. There is beauty in it.[he shows a silhouette of an adult Elsa creating magical snowflakes]Grand Pabbie: But also great danger.[one of the snowflakes turns red and into icy spikes]Grand Pabbie: You must learn to control it. Fear will be your enemy.[the spikes turn into human form which then attack the silhouette of adult Elsa, this frightens Elsa and she turns to her father who holds her protectively]King: No. We'll protect her. She can learn to control it. I'm sure. Until then, we'll lock the gates. We'll reduce the staff. We will limit her contact with people, and keep her powers hidden from everyone. Including Anna.[the castle doors and windows are closed and the two sisters separated from each other, Anna watches as Elsa goes into her room and close the door, Anna looks sad and confused]I think her parents really missed the mark here, they forced Elsa into being afraid and ashamed of who she is. They also misunderstood control as suppression. Shouldn't we use our gifts and talents for good? The most heartbreaking part is how they ruined the relationship between Elsa and Anna. I believe that if Pabbie had meant for Elsa and Anna to be totally separated, he would not have left the good memories of the fun Anna and Elsa shared in Anna's memories.
It seems to me, the fear Pabbie mentions is not so much the fear others might have for Elsa and her powers, but her fear of herself. Whenever she is afraid, and her powers burst from her, the things she makes are scary, spiky, and ominous. But, when she is feeling confident and free, what she creates is very refined and beautiful. Just look at her "fortress of solitude." The ice castle she makes is incredible, and how could I forget Olaf, she makes the most amazing and loving, living snowman.
I think Elsa provide us with a good lesson in loving ourselves and being strong and confident with our abilities, talents, and gifts. I think we all have the potential to do very good or very bad things with the abilities we are given.
How Elsa's powers manifest when she is afraid:
What she can do when she feels confident and in control:
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