The Princess and The Frog (2009) - Film Review: Archetypes

Figure 1: The Princess and The Frog (2009) [Poster]

This essay aims to illustrate how John Musker and Ron Clements’ The Princess and The Frog (2009) complies with Christopher Vogler’s concept of archetypes, by highlighting each of the archetypes and how they relate to induvial characters within the film.

Walt Disney’s The Princess and The Frog is a retelling of the classic fairy tale of the same name. In this retelling, Tiana a waitress dreams of one day owning her own restaurant, however ends up on a journey to turn a frog prince back to a human, unfortunately finding herself in the same position.

“Every story is a journey. Whether set in a fantastical world or the house next door, all narratives in some way chronicle the universal human experience of growth and transition. A screenwriter’s responsibility is to help guide the audience along this path in an accessible and compelling way.” (Bernstein, R. 2018)

Christopher Vogler, first inspired by Carl Jung and his concept of archetypes, published the book ‘The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers’ (1992). Within the publication, Vogler expanded on Jung archetypes, arguing that they should instead be used in a way in which to describe influenceable forces within the narrative.  Vogler complied each into twelve various archetypes, that would be found within a narrative. These twelve, can be highlighted throughout the course of The Princess and The Frog, within various characters. (Bernstein, R. 2018)

Figure 2: The Hero: Tiana

Within Vogler’s concept of archetypes, the character of Tiana falls into the hero category. The hero archetypes role within a narrative is to portray the struggles of the audience, and the need to fulfil some kind of need or want within their journey. This highly relates to the character of Tiana within the film. Throughout the film Tiana is shown as a dreamer, setting her goals on having her own restaurant, although this dream seems almost impossible without the right amount of money. This is something audiences can relate to as it reveals their own struggles. It can be said that the hero is also highlighted by other archetypes as they all are there to serve the hero on their journey.

Figure 3: The Shadow: Dr Facilier

Often known as the opposite of the hero, is the shadow archetype. The archetypes main purpose is to encompass the rejected aspects of the hero, clarifying as ultimately the villain. In terms of The Princess and The Frog, the shadow takes the form of Dr Facilier, who aims to become an obstacle in the way of her dream, in order to achieve his own. It could be argued that Dr Facilier represents the willingness of Tiana who is ready to sacrifice everything. However, the difference is that Tiana realises what is most important, love, while Dr Facilier is consumed by greed.

Figure 4: The Herald: The book of fairy tales 

The herald drives the narrative, often sourcing a form of message, that engages the hero and begins the journey. Although the archetypes are usually characters, they can also be objects this is true of The Princess and The Frog. The herald within the film is the book of fairy tales, that tells the storey of the princess and the frog to Tiana and Charlotte as children. The book is then brought back later, when Naveen uses it to convince Tiana that if she kisses him, he will return back to a prince, in a way, beginning her journey.

Figure 5: Threshold Guardian: Dr Facilier

The threshold guardian indicates an archetype who acts as an obstacle to test the hero, in order for them to test their abilities. Both Dr Facilier and Mama Odie play this role as they both challenge Tiana and her abilities. Dr Facilier does this by tempting Tiana with her dream, rather than working hard he can just simply use magic to solve her problem. This challenges Tiana’s moral of doing what is right and wrong, and whether she’s willing to give in to the easiest option. On the other hand, Mama Odie challenges Tiana by asking her to ‘Dig a little deeper’ and search for what she is really looking for in life, testing Tiana’s drive.

Figure 6: Trickster: Prince Naveen

There are multiple trickster archetypes within the film, including the main protagonists love interest Naveen. Within the narrative, the trickster often plays as the comedy relief but often creates a form of chaos within the story. When Naveen first makes an appearance, it is clear to the audience he is very laid back, often the opposite of Tiana (the hero), due to this he becomes the comedy relief throughout the film. Along with this he also causes chaos by getting mixed up with the voodoo man which results in him becoming a frog, which then in turn, causes chaos for those around him including Tiana.

It could also be argued that Louis and Dr Facilier also fall under this archetype, as they both in their own right cause some chaos within the film, such as Louis taking Prince Naveen and Tiana in the wrong direction, and Dr Facilier ticking Naveen into becoming a frog.

Figure 7: Mentor: James (Tiana’s Father)

The mentor archetype plays a keen role on the hero archetype, as they act as a tutor giving advice when needed. The key mentor for Tiana is her father James. From the beginning of the film it is clear Tiana takes her father’s advice and guidance to heart, often using him as her driving force behind her dream.

Figure 8: Allies: Louis

Within the film there an abundance of different ally archetypes Tiana meets along the way. Including Louis and Ray. The main purpose of this archetype is to help the hero on their journey through the narrative, often offering ulterior concepts to the character, demonstrating yet another side to the hero. Both Louis and Ray help Tiana find Mama Odie to help rid them of the spell.

Figure 9: Father: Mr La Bouff (Charlotte’s Father)

Although Tiana has a father figure within the film, Charlottes father is seen much more and often plays a more crucial role within the narrative. Although Tiana’s father passes away Mr La Bouff still offers support and help to Tiana, which at one point helps in Tiana receiving enough money to buy her restaurant. It could be said that in a way, Tiana has two father figures within the film.

Figure 10: Mother: Eudora (Tiana’s Mother)

Along with the Father archetype, there is also the mother archetype. This archetype often nurtures and cares for the hero, in this instance it would be Tiana’s mother Eudora. From the beginning of the film, it is clear to the audience that Eudora cares for Tiana and does her best to provide what she can. This is highlighted in the scene in which, Eudora gifts Tiana her father Gumbo pot. Although this isn’t as impressive as the restaurant, the pot has an immense value to Tiana, nurturing her love for both cooking her family. 

Figure 11: Child: Tiana (as a child)

Although there are not many children characters within the story. The audience do view the hero prior to the journey, as it begins in her childhood. The child archetype gets filled by Tiana and Charlotte, as both indicate the innocence and naivety of youth, clearly depicted in their belief in the fairy tale ‘The Princess and The Frog’ book.

Figure 12: Maiden: Tiana

As well as being the hero archetype, Tiana also portrays elements of the maiden as she becomes the love interest of Naveen, as well as both being saved and saving Prince Naveen within the narrative. Tiana is also the drive of Naveen, as he becomes a better person because of her.

Figure 13: Shapeshifter: Lawrence

The shapeshifter archetype usually symbolises a character who changes throughout the course of the narrative, this could mean switching from the good to the bad or reverse. In this case, Lawrence is a prime example. Not only physically shifting in appearance by taking over Naveen’s identity, but also switching from being Naveen’s assistant to becoming the henchman of Dr Facilier scheme.

To conclude, Vogler’s concept of archetypes is shown within the characters of The Princess and The Frog (2009), clearly indicated by the way in which each character is portrayed within the story, even if they can occasionally fit within multiple archetypes.

Bibliography

Bernstein, R. (2018). Archetypal Characters in the Hero’s Journey. Available: https://online.pointpark.edu/screenwriting/archetypal-characters-heros-journey/. Last accessed 23/10/2019.

Illustrations

Figure 1: The Princess and The Frog (2009) [Poster] Musker, J. (2014). Dan’s Top 100 Everything: #27 Disney Renaissance. Available: http://earnthis.net/dans-top-100-everything-27-disney-renaissance/  Last accessed 23/10/2019.

Figure 2: The Hero: Tiana Jason. (2015). How to Draw Tiana from The Princess and the Frog by Eric Goldberg (2). Available: http://www.cgmeetup.net/home/how-to-draw-tiana-from-the-princess-and-the-frog/how-to-draw-tiana-from-the-princess-and-the-frog-by-eric-goldberg-2/  Last accessed 23/10/2019.

Figure 3: The Shadow: Dr Facilier Fandom. (N/A). Dr. Facilier is the primary antagonist from The Princess and The Frog. Available: https://parody.fandom.com/wiki/Dr._Facilier  Last accessed 23/10/2019.

Figure 4: The Herald: The book of fairy tales [Film Still]

Figure 5: Threshold Guardian: Dr Facilier [Film Still]

Figure 6: Trickster: Prince Naveen [Film Still]

Figure 7: Mentor: James (Tiana’s Father) [Film Still]

Figure 8: Allies: Louis [Film Still]

Figure 9: Father: Mr La Bouff (Charlotte’s Father) [Film Still]

Figure 10: Mother: Eudora (Tiana’s Mother) [Film Still]

Figure 11: Child: Tiana (as a child) [Film Still]

Figure 12: Maiden: Tiana [Film Still]

Figure 13: Shapeshifter: Lawrence [Film Still]