Reasons Why Disney Characters Didn't Have Mothers And How That Impacts The Story As A Whole
Since our childhood, Disney Movies have never stopped amazing us. We have always been drawn to soft musical stories and imagined ourselves as one of the stunning Disney princesses waiting for the prince charming and living happily forever!
Although Disney has always told stories of "happily ever after", it is a fact that the majority of the Disney characters are raised by a single parent. More precisely, they don't have mothers and some of them live with their wicked stepmothers. Their mothers are either dead, have gone missing, or are otherwise unaccounted for. Even though more recent characters like Merida and Tiana had mothers, Frozen took a different approach by having both Elsa and Anna's parents pass away at the beginning of the film.
So, what happened to those mothers? Why don't they appear in these movies?
In an interview with Glamor magazine, longtime Disney producer Don Hahn offered his two explanations for why Disney characters rarely have parents, especially mothers. One idea is based on practical considerations, and the other comes from a tragic story from Walt Disney's past.
Don thinks Walt was "haunted" by the passing of his mother, which is why Walt tended to shy away from portraying moms in his subsequent movies.
"It's not a secret within their family, but it's just a tragedy that is so difficult to even talk about. It helps to understand the man a little bit more. He had just made Fantasia, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Bambi, and Snow White in five years. He buys a house for his mom and dad, they move down from Oregon, and his mom dies. Again, I'm not a psychologist to know it all, but it's a really interesting story."
Given that the image of a mother means safety and care, it has now become clear why Disney characters rarely have mothers. Protagonists are driven to grow up quickly, make decisions and, well, create their own stories because they don't have their mothers by their sides. Perhaps this is the real reason why Disney movies are so unique.
What do you think about the reason for the absence of mothers in Disney movies? Do you believe that the lack of a mother throughout childhood affects how characters develop? Tell us in the comment below!
Although Disney has always told stories of "happily ever after", it is a fact that the majority of the Disney characters are raised by a single parent. More precisely, they don't have mothers and some of them live with their wicked stepmothers. Their mothers are either dead, have gone missing, or are otherwise unaccounted for. Even though more recent characters like Merida and Tiana had mothers, Frozen took a different approach by having both Elsa and Anna's parents pass away at the beginning of the film.
So, what happened to those mothers? Why don't they appear in these movies?
In an interview with Glamor magazine, longtime Disney producer Don Hahn offered his two explanations for why Disney characters rarely have parents, especially mothers. One idea is based on practical considerations, and the other comes from a tragic story from Walt Disney's past.
#The stories are all about growing up
Source: The Lion King
Bambi’s mother gets killed, so he has to grow up
Source: Bambi
Rapunzel was separated from her biological parents at a young age
Source: © Tangled/ Walt Disney Animation Studios
Belle's mother died when she was a baby
Source: © Beauty and the Beast/Walt Disney Animation Studios
Ariel's mother passed away
Source: © The Little Mermaid/ Walt Disney Animation Studios
Tarzan was lost from his parents when he was an infant
Source: © Tarzan/ Walt Disney Animation Studios
Nani and Lilo's parents died in an accident
Source: © Lilo and Stitch/ Walt Disney Animation Studios
Elsa and Anna's parents are missing
Source: © Frozen 2/ Walt Disney Animation Studios
#Walt Disney, unfortunately, lost his mother
Source: © ASSOCIATED PRESS/East News, © ASSOCIATED PRESS/East News
Don thinks Walt was "haunted" by the passing of his mother, which is why Walt tended to shy away from portraying moms in his subsequent movies.
"It's not a secret within their family, but it's just a tragedy that is so difficult to even talk about. It helps to understand the man a little bit more. He had just made Fantasia, Dumbo, Pinocchio, Bambi, and Snow White in five years. He buys a house for his mom and dad, they move down from Oregon, and his mom dies. Again, I'm not a psychologist to know it all, but it's a really interesting story."
Given that the image of a mother means safety and care, it has now become clear why Disney characters rarely have mothers. Protagonists are driven to grow up quickly, make decisions and, well, create their own stories because they don't have their mothers by their sides. Perhaps this is the real reason why Disney movies are so unique.
What do you think about the reason for the absence of mothers in Disney movies? Do you believe that the lack of a mother throughout childhood affects how characters develop? Tell us in the comment below!
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