What does Elsa want?
Since I’ve been on a bit of a Frozen binge recently, I was having some thoughts:
If anyone’s been in the Frozen fandom for as long as I have, we’ve all wondered whether Elsa would ever become attached to someone. The early Jelsa shippers, Helsa (which I do ship, I have my reasons, don’t @ me), #giveelsaagirlfriend trending on twitter, the newer Elsamaren shippers, and so on. Ever since Disney realized the franchise potential of this story, that's been the big question brought up for the past decade.
I will say I can definitely understand the perception of Elsa being aromantic/asexual because honestly, think about it: considering her past struggles with controlling her powers and her fear of hurting those she loves, it’s probably very difficult for her to be vulnerable with other people, even platonically with her own family. If she was that uncomfortable being around others and trying to manage her issues, how uncomfortable is she with being in love? Being desired? Wanting to be with someone?
No matter what options they go with for her in the 3rd sequel, it might be an interesting perspective to see this more vulnerable side of Elsa, if they choose to give her a romantic partner, because for the past two movies we’ve only gotten the perspective of her focusing on herself. She wanted to learn the truth of who she was and to make her peace with it, no longer denying her magical abilities or trying to shove them down out of fear. She wanted to reconnect with her sister and try to have a family again. But what does Elsa want for herself beyond that? Who can really stand on her level and approach her?
In spite of her connections with her sister and the rest of her family, there is still a level of unapproachability to her because of the dissonance between her humanity and the almost mythic nature of her powers. Even though Anna loves her sister, we can observe that even she struggles sometimes to understand Elsa’s powers, especially her role as the Snow Queen/the 5th Spirit, and Anna falls back in awe of her like everyone else. It’s like this quote from the movie The Philadelphia Story (which is a great movie btw, highly recommend):
“You're like some marvelous, distant, well, queen, I guess. You're so cool and fine and always so much your own. There's a kind of beautiful purity about you, Tracy, like a statue.”
To which Katharine Hepburn’s character replies:
“I don't want to be worshipped. I want to be loved.”
Does Elsa want that kind of love? So far, the answer’s been a tentative “no,” at least from the writers and cast. Whether it's because of the potential conservative outcry or disappointing the lgbtq community yet again is anyone's guess, but for now I can only assume that leaving her unattached has been the safest option for Disney so far.
But since we’ve already crossed the threshold of Elsa’s self-acceptance and self-realization of her powers, where do we go beyond that in terms of her character? It’s only natural to wonder what she wants beyond understanding herself, being comfortable with her powers, and being accepted. She has a supportive family, is making friendships with the Northuldra, and has a kingdom that loves her, but does she stand alone or can someone meet her at her level? Romantically or otherwise? Who can challenge her, really?
Tracy Lord: "I don't seem to you made of bronze?"
Macaulay Connor: "No, you're made out of flesh and blood. That's the blank, unholy surprise of it. You're the golden girl, Tracy. Full of life and warmth and delight.”
Does she have to remain this mythic goddess that everyone admires, who has to have a dress transformation/inspiration anthem about self-actualization every movie? What if she had a moment where she was grounded and had to focus on something besides her powers? What if she lost them? How would that affect her character then?
Those are questions I hope might be answered in Frozen 3. I'm fine with whatever choices they make in terms of her sexuality, as precarious at that may be, but I just think it would be an interesting aspect of her character to explore whether or not she could have an equal, or whether or not she can finally come down to earth.
Tracy Lord: "How do I look?"
Seth Lord: "Like a queen. Like a goddess."
Tracy Lord: "And do you know how I feel?"
Seth Lord: "How?"
Tracy Lord: "Like a human. Like a human being.”
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Okay, I know a bunch of people are still advocating for Elsa to have a girlfriend, but am I the only one who thinks Aro/Ace Elsa is completely valid?
I’ve never understood why every Disney princess needed a love interest of any kind, and I’ve really liked how some of the newer movies have stepped away from that story beat in some regards. Elsa is definitely the prime example of it, since she doesn’t even have a hinted or potential love interest introduced as of right now. Actually, she has shown absolutely no interest in romance whatsoever.
Her whole character has always been about self-identity and acceptance. Of being yourself and loving yourself for who you are, even if that doesn’t fit the definition of normal. She loves her family but is clearly introverted and enjoys solitude from time to time. She has always been the polar opposite of Anna, and I think having her be Aro/Ace would just make sense. Anna was always desperate for that romantic connection with someone, while Elsa is fine being who she is.
Elsa not having a romantic interest in my opinion fits her character. She’s the independent woman, she no longer is constantly trying to find approval and acceptance in others. She found her self-confidence, and it would feel like a backtrack for her to suddenly be pining for the attention of someone else just because ‘every Disney princess needs a lover’.
With Disney’s track record of representation anyways, let's be honest, there’s no way they can write their way around Elsa getting into a convincing relationship without it feeling shoehorned and pandering. Elsa has had two movies already building her up as someone who doesn’t need a lover and doesn’t seem to want one. Her character would have to do a 180 shift to suddenly be pining for love like Anna did in the first movie.
I don’t know, with the potential of Frozen 3 on the horizon, I’m unsure where they plan to go with it. But I do know that as of right now, Elsa seems to be a good representation of Aro/Ace. If they decide to write her a love interest of any gender, I just hope it’s well written, but I really don’t think she needs it.
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