WHAT IS THE REAL TRAGEDY OF "101 DALMATIANS"?

With the upcoming premiere of Disney's newest live-action remake, the first villain POV since Maleficent in 2014, we should take a closer look at the character of Cruella DeVil. In 1961, there is not much to analyze. She is introduced as Anita long-time friend from school, loves fur, and drives so recklessly that it is a miracle she survives to see the end of the movie. She also has no sense of boundaries with Anita, inviting herself into Anita's home without so much as a knock or "hello".

Her lack of boundaries is shared by the 1996's version of Cruella, even though there are no other similarities in the character aside from the obvious fur-worshipping, dognapping predicament. Otherwise, she adapts into a wealthy businesswoman with her own driver and a team of designers. This is where she meets Anita who becomes a member of her staff for a mere two years.

Beneath the puppy napping, something far more tragic occurs between employer and employee. The puppies survive and come home. The true causality of this film is the promising career of a talented designer. Anita could have been a wonderful assert to the world of fashion had it not been for the selfish whim of Cruella DeVil, the most corrupt fashionista in town.

This is the version of Cruella we will explore: a corrupt designer and boss. DeVil is a clear case of narcissism in the workplace . Let's explore this study in comparison to the dynamic within this franchise, particularly between Cruella and Anita.

This scene reveals the gruesome character. Though she strikes fear into the hearts of her seasoned employees, but she puts on a smile for new hire Anita. Having worked for the fashion house no more than two months, Anita is blind to Cruella’s true intentions behind the smiles and compliments. It is true that Anita does “wonderful work.” It’s “fresh and clean, unfettered, unpretentious.” These are qualities of any promising designer.

However, it’s also clear that Cruella intends to professionally hold back Anita because she’s too selfish to let go of her young employee and afraid her wellspring of unique designs will dry up. She offers Anita no credit, notoriety, or reputation. This way, Anita would never be strong, independent designer, and she’s too much of a people pleaser to say no to Cruella. Narcissists target people pleasers. This is a dangerous combination that makes it difficult for victims like Anita to escape their hellish work environment.

Cruella has a volatile temper, which strikes fear into the hearts of the people closest to her. They all bend over backwards for her, even though they know in their hearts that her commands are wrong, even illegal. Still, they play along because a confrontation with her is more frightening that prison. It seems silly in hindsight. Unfortunately, narcissistic rage is impossible to understand unless experienced. It’s real and terrifying.

This is why we see the character of Jasper work so desperately to appease Cruella by smothering her with compliments only thing that quells her rage is fur. So, he strives to provide her with as much fur as he can get for her. Except when he provides her with fur. Even though poaching is illegal, he takes the risk to win her affection. But it never lasts. The cycle of abuse always comes back around.

Manipulation is a trait that is passed down to Cruella by the Baroness, a character from the new origin story, CRUELLA (in theaters now). Cruella does the same thing to Anita that the Baroness does to young Cruella. She is taught to that independence is only achieved through viciousness. Cruella is abused, and her work is stolen. She receives no credit for her hard work. It’s a toxic lesson that Cruella takes to heart. In this way, the Baroness succeeds in workplace manipulation. Cruella becomes the very thing she once hates. The victim becomes the offender.

Anita finds herself in a battle for her soul. Unlike Cruella, Anita wins the battle, but her victory comes at a cost.

“The escape” is the best of three options when dealing with a workplace narcissist. For Anita, it’s the only option because of her people pleasing personality. She’s too naïve to have “realistic expectations,” and she’s too broke to hire a lawyer (thanks to Cruella’s pathetic salary).

Thank goodness for Dalmatian hero Pongo who sets an unconventional romantic scene between Roger and her. Roger is a good man who strives to do right by her. He defends Anita from her controlling, entitled boss. He can see Cruella’s disgusting behavior, especially after berating their financial worth. Well, whose fault is that? Cruella is the one who underpays and eventually fires Anita simply for defending their beloved pets.

This would be a make a good civil case against her, but the small family quickly learns to appreciate the peaceful life that escaping the fashion house provides. Sure, money is tight, but they somehow get by. Anita believes in her husband’s potential. Both are creative and brilliant designers in different ways. They have a lot to offer the world with their talents. In the end, Cruella's inability to recognize their gifts become her downfall. All because of her pathological need to be needed.

1 Peter 3:3-4 says "Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within."

There is nothing wrong with a career in fashion. Anita is a kind soul, a humanitarian and lover of animals. There is a place for her in the industry if she had returned after DeVil's arrest. Alas, that dream is dead. The problem lies with the obsession of image. This is an area in which narcissists excel. Image comes above all else to a narcissist just as fur becomes Cruella's god.

Cruella admits in the 1961 and 1996 films, "I adore fur. I worship fur."

It makes her look wealthy and feel desired. In the new CRUELLA, we can see that seed is planted into the woman's head at a young age by a woman just like her. Because of The Baroness' lies, the brilliant designer becomes a vicious monster, Cruella. She becomes the thing she hates. Talk about tragedy.

Good people seek inner beauty, not outer.