Day 2: Your Favorite Official Princess



Belle

I'm pretty sure Mulan is listed as an official princess, but I didn't want to duplicate quite this early. Belle is one of my favorite overall characters as well. I love the fact that she is a reader, seeking to expand beyond her physical boundaries by exercising her imagination and constantly pushing the limitations of knowledge to explore beyond. Belle is a princess who makes it cool to be smart...she doesn't just have to be pretty or charming or...or...or. She has firm opinions, but she's willing to learn. I like how she manages to balance the two sides of femininity - the intellect and the heart. In addition - while she has no intention of becoming the 'little wife,' it is obvious she doesn't have anything against the institution itself. She actually is willing to have a significant other, but she wants one who will admire her for herself, not her face. The problem with being the beauty? Like a 'stacked' girl, the prettier she is, the more intellect points are subtracted. What an insult to a beautiful, intelligent woman! Belle is the animated stand in for the women who have had their talents and brains overlooked just because they had a pretty face.