The Symbolic World 416 - Tangled: The Triumph of Self-Realization
Oct 17, 2025
The discussion dives into Disney's Tangled and its departure from the traditional Rapunzel narrative. It highlights themes of self-realization versus familial bonds, contrasting the original tale's focus on union with the modern emphasis on personal growth. The symbolism of hair reflects external beauty masking deeper truths, while the characters’ relationships explore the consequences of replacing meaning with pleasure. Ultimately, it critiques how this shift may weaken the story's original intent.
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Tangled As A Turning Point
- Tangled marks a turning point where Disney shifts fairy tales toward individual self-realization over marriage-centered unions.
- The film shows early signs of later storytelling changes that would reshape Disney's approach to classic tales.
Flower Reframes The Theft
- Disney replaces the original Rapunzel bargain with a magical flower to justify why Gothel steals and hoards the child.
- This reframing links superficial beauty and youth to selfish motives rather than parental barter.
Devouring Mother As Manipulator
- Mother Gothel uses Rapunzel as a tool to preserve youth and beauty, showing a devouring, manipulative motherhood.
- The film links external beauty used selfishly to internal moral decay and control.
