BRAVE: THIS PROUD, SCOTTISH PRINCESS NEEDS NO HUSBAND

Disney-Pixar's collaborative project of 2012, "Brave", produces a never before seen princess. Headstrong and stubborn, she flies in the face of tradition. Pixar goes above and beyond in helping Disney poke fun at itself, including the infamous royal dress in which all Disney princesses are shamelessly marketed. Merida prefers her daily comfortable look.

Above all, she refuses to accept the mandate of marriage. She feels destined to be a queen, just not a wife. A lifetime of her mother's lessons doesn't prepare her for leadership. Merida finds Queen Elinor's lessons boring and unnecessary. Her favor of the day is when she rides her horse and practice archery. It makes her feel free and happy.

Merida is different from her mother, but that doesn't suggest she'll be a poor leader. Merida is a genius. She has a way of thinking outside the box and challenging pointless tradition. This proud, clever princess could easily rule on her own.

Thus, she is chosen by the wisps to embark on a journey in search of the truth behind an ancient legend. Each of her parents tells her a different story without realizing they are the same legend:

Queen Elinor is a disciplined woman, driven by tradition and the need for perfection. She advocates for a strict education, tradition, and diplomacy. The story she tells is of a prince who strays from his royal duties and fights for his destiny. Because of this, the kingdom fell to destruction. She teaches Merida that tradition begets peace. Merida needs to submit to marriage and become a peaceful diplomat. Just like her.

King Fergus is a superficial man, driven by revenge for his lost leg. He believes in what he sees for himself, not magic or legend. What he sees is a giant bear. Through this face-to-face encounter, he believes. He is from then on driven by revenge, and he teaches his daughter to be a warrior. Just like him.

Merida embarks on a journey with her mother where they both discover a hidden truth behind Scottish legends. The demon bear is the unruly prince Mor'du believes that his family robbed him of his right to rule his kingdom, so he used magic to declare war upon them all. The lesson here is that Mor'du becomes his own obstacle. His pride turns him into a monster. He causes the fall of his once-thriving kingdom leaving nothing left to rule.

Without the remedy, Elinor is doomed to share his fate, but so is Merida. Her pride will destroy her kingdom with she doesn't make things right with her family.

With the legend complete, she learns the greatest lesson of all. To take responsibility for her actions? Sure. That sacrifice is necessary for people in her position? Of course. Above all, she learns that the only obstacle in the way of her destiny is herself. She can't blame her mother for her life's direction. Only she can set it, and it's her pride that keeps her from it.

Merida is destined to be a queen and a fine leader. She can achieve that whether she married or not. With or without her mother's lessons. Just as long as she has her country's history to guide her.

Meanwhile, Elinor learns to trust her daughter. She loses control when she is transformed into a bear. Thus, she must rely on her daughter to survive. Elinor watches helplessly as her daughter faces down four clan leaders with only a sword. In that moment, she sees Merida for the first time. She learns to appreciate Merida's courage and talents. No suitor in the country could match her combat abilities. This Disney princess is no fair maiden. She is a warrior queen.