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Frozen Heart

Amy Leong, Author

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Reflecting on Elsa's Character through Body Language


Coupled with the theme of constraint and imprisonment in song, body language is another key attribute in demonstrating the struggle of expressing one’s true self. For example, in the beginning of the “Let It Go” scene, all shots of Elsa when wearing the glove display “low-power poses,” poses when an individual is “folding up” and “making [herself] small” (Buck; Cuddy). At the very start of the sceneElsa’s arms are at her sides, and then she eventually cups her hands together near the middle of her waist. More specifically, the hand with a glove is placed on top of her other hand, covering up the powers she holds and her true identity. Thus, wearing the glove has been a constant reminder of the need to restrain herself, displaying only the feared and distant side to her. Later on, Elsa reaches a point where she crosses her arms, compelling the viewer to fix his or her eye on the glove on her hand. The glove’s position, in caressing her left arm, demonstrates how she’s curling up in a “low-power pose” (Cuddy). For this reason, Elsa’s gestures expose her vulnerability and insecurities, contributing to her low confidence levels and internal struggle. Accordingly, in the following shots of Elsa wearing the glove, her hands continue to stay close to her chest, demonstrating how close the glove resonates in her heart. Keeping her from using her powers and showing her feelings, Elsa sees the glove as constraining her from her true self – a restriction that bounds her from freedom. In turn, the negative vibe the glove gives off on Elsa, results in the concealment of her true character. Instead of the bright and lively person she could be, Elsa becomes timid, withdrawn, and standoffish. Like her hand trapped inside the glove, Elsa is trapped emotionally and eventually, physically in her ice palace. In brief, the internal struggle of the glove stopping her from her true identity fits in with Disney’s classic timid princess and displays the vulnerability of a female figure. However, once the glove is off, it is important to note that Elsa expresses “high-power poses,” like the stretching out of the arms, which result in her liveliness and beauty in her magic and character (Cuddy). Thus, as long as Elsa wears the glove, she continues to struggle with accepting herself and the fear of using and showing her most powerful emotion: love.

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