I used to collect Disney villain figurines, until they started getting silly.
And by “silly” I mean male.
Self proclaimed post feminist status aside, I assert that real fairy tales, at least the good ones, have female villains.
The later Disney villains, like that guy from Beauty and the Beast or the one from Pocahontas, are just not scary enough. Scar from Lion King? Although quite evil and crush worthy given the Jeremy Irons voice over, he still doesn’t hold a candle to the lovely ladies who ruled the empire in the early years of Disney animation.
The exception to this rule would be Jaffar from Aladdin. For a few reasons, but mostly because he has a turban. Also because let’s face it, he was a little effeminate. He was basically a queen with facial hair.
The traditional symbolism in fairy tales revolves around the juxtaposition not just of good and evil, but of purity and impurity (both of the soul and the physical). They also reveal the traditional view that life is polarity… that there is good and there is evil and that little exists between them.
This point of view fascinates me because it’s very different than what I believe. The difference exists, I assume, because existentialism and relativism were being born when these movies were first made. As a child born in the late 20th century, they were well grounded, or well on their way ot being so, in the American psyche when I happened on the scene.
Additionally, the female villains also fascinate me because women often play central roles in the discussion of what is pious versus that which is sinful in my heritage (and among those discussing my heritage). Another dichotomy: paramount importance and unabashed objectification.
Anyway, I started collecting the villain figurines when I was 13 or so. I think I realized early on that life isn’t exactly the way it is in fairy tales (or in family room discussions). I would look at these little statues and admire how beautiful they were. How determined they were in getting what they wanted at all costs. How completely irreverent they were regarding expected mores and behavior.
And as I considered the costs for their determination and irreverence, I reveled in the depth that those struggles represented. I pondered over the truth of the consequences presented.
Snow White, Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty, they remain unchanged and exist as eternal virgins.
The queens, the stepmothers, the evil fairies, though? To me, they blossom in each telling of the story. Every visit exposes a new layer, a new motivation, perhaps even a new explanation for me.
Unlike their virginal victims, they’re twisted, varied, glorious, flawed… human.
She asks for the girl’s heart.
In. A. Box.
How badass is that? 
Posted by Faiqa on May 4, 2009 7:54 pm • My American Life,Seriously. I Have No Clue. About Anything. • 27 comments
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Princess of the Universe Said,
May 4, 2009 @ 8:38 pm
Pretty damn badass alright. And pretty NOT G-rated. We let children watch this stuff??
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Finn Said,
May 4, 2009 @ 8:54 pm
Men are wimps compared to these chicks. That clip freaked me out a little bit…
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Coal Miner's Granddaughter Said,
May 4, 2009 @ 9:01 pm
I’ve always been a Maleficent fan. Love her. And I love the female villains because men are supposed to be bad. Women? We’re nurturing, not evil. Aileen Wuornos? Now there’s a female villain.
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Nanna Said,
May 4, 2009 @ 9:19 pm
Brava, baby. But one point I take issue with–that very little exists in between the poles of good and evil. LIFE happens in the in-between spaces. *insert evil grin*
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Avitable Said,
May 4, 2009 @ 9:51 pm
Nice try! Look at you trying to intellectualize your geeky collection just so you can justify it! I’m not buying it!
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Tug Said,
May 4, 2009 @ 9:58 pm
In my OSH experience (or not, I’m a grandma; I’ve been around)…women are bitches. We get shit done, we don’t put up with B.S….*AND*, we nurture.
Don’t mess with a real woman guys…seriously.
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SciFi Dad Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 6:15 am
I’ve got a handful (OK, more than a handful) of Star Wars action figures on my desk, all of them villains. I have an affinity for them for the same reason you do: I can identify more with them than I can the perfect and pure “good guys”.
We haven’t graduated to Snow White yet, but I’ve got to say, Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty) is pretty nasty in her own right… I mean, the bitch turns into a DRAGON.
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Sybil Law Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 7:25 am
I have to agree with you on this 100%. The villains were just badass, and I always felt a little sorry for them, too. I also loved Darth Vader – how could you not?!
Anyway, women, I think, can be WAY more evil than men. They can be sneakier or better liars, too. It’s delicious.
Sooooo glad you don’t collect Precious Moments figurines!
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Miss Britt Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 7:53 am
In one of the exhibits at Disney they have this computer game where you find out what Disney character you are.
Emma?
Was the evil stepmother from Cinderella.
She was thrilled.
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Faiqa Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 9:25 am
@Princess of the Universe: I know, I took my daughter on the ride at Disney and she screamed the entire time as well as for fifteen minutes afterward.
@Finn: Me, too, I wouldn’t cross that woman.
@Coal Miner’s Granddaughter: She’s my favorite (Malifecent, not Wuornos), too.
@Nanna: Oh, yeah, I disagree with that, too!! I meant that it fascinates me that the belief that noting exists in between is so enduring.
@Avitable: Collecting villains is not geeky. It’s not like it’s COMIC BOOKS.
@Tug: Exactly.
@SciFi Dad: Maleficent is my daughter’s hero!! She goes around all day screaming, “Imbeciles.” Not at us, of course, at her toys. It just occurred to me that imbeciles means the same thing as “dummy” which is on our censored list. Hmmm, I think I’ll let it slide for a while…
@Sybil Law: Hahahaha, could you see ME with a precious moments collection? I don’t think so.
@Miss Britt: I knew I liked that kid.
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Crys Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 11:18 am
peekchur of collection
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Kate Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 1:16 pm
“He was basically a queen with facial hair.”
You captured Jaffar so perfectly.
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Elizabeth Kaylene Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
Ursula always scared me. She was unpredictable, temperamental, and that was terrifying to me.
I agree that the more you watch these movies — or read their original stories — the villains become more and more dimensional. I would often watch these movies and find myself rooting for the villain; Maleficent is one kickass bitch.
I agree with Sheila. There should be pictures with this post!
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Ren Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 4:10 pm
As far as classic Disney male villains, there’s also Captain Hook. Though, I suppose he’s fairly effeminate in his own right. Plus, I seem to recall him screaming like a girl when the crocodile is chasing him.
Interestingly, this list of top Disney villains has two of the top three as males (Scar and Jafar, with Maleficent topping the list, of course).
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Faiqa Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 6:15 pm
@Crys: Collection is wrapped in newspaper in my parent’s home. I think the villains feel more at home there. Kidding. I think I’ll get it this weekend.
@Kate: I’m proud of that line.
Elizabeth Kaylene: I should have taken pictures… Ursula is a great one, too.
@Ren: Pfft, I could write another post aimed at refuting the assertion that Scar is more evil than the Queen from Snow White. But, for now? Girl’s Heart. In. A. BOX.
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Slyde Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 8:01 pm
i always love hearing about the things that people collect as a hobby, or for some people, obsession.
for me, its comic books and miniatures that i use for wargamming…
yeah, im a nerd..
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kapgar Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
There are some pretty wicked femmes in the fairy tale realm, aren’t there? And I agree, the guys ain’t got jack on them. Or jill for that matter.
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Ren Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 9:24 pm
@Faiqa: I’m not sure that ranking was based on “most evil” but I want to point out that she wasn’t cutting out the heart herself, so it’s a bit of a cop-out. When that falls through, she doesn’t have the temerity to finish the job herself and settles for a lame sleep spell instead. Also, she was only targetting her step-daughter, while Scar killed his own brother, framed his nephew for it and later attempted to kill said nephew. Plus, he ran the Pridelands into the ground while in control.
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Faiqa Said,
May 5, 2009 @ 9:37 pm
@Ren:
Ouch, busted. I didn’t click the link, I just took your word for it.
While what you say is true, I would argue that the Queen’s actions were more evil because of the fact that she involved the woodsmen in her plot… not only was she somewhat cowardly, as you suggest, but she manipulated and abused her position of authority over a simple working class shlub.
If you recall, Scar did the same thing when he employed the hyenas to kill Simba. And while you’re right, Scar killed his own brother, let’s examine motivation, as well. Scar killed for a kingdom. The Queen? For vanity. To me, Scar’s motivations emanate from the traditional desire for resources or, at least, for power over resources. In effect, he stood to gain something tangible. He even, for a short while, achieved some level of happiness until Simba showed up at the end.
The Queen, however, was willing to have someone killed for something that was elusive, unattainable, and what many would agree is trvial. The sleep spell further underscores her deeply flawed nature in that it reflects the fact that she believes that Snow White will never meet her true love… perhaps that love doesn’t even exist.
I’ve thought a lot about this. Obviously.
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Ren Said,
May 6, 2009 @ 12:18 am
@Faiqa: This is fun, I can’t believe we haven’t gotten to meet yet. And with your impending additional life alteration additive, I’m guessing it’s going to have to be Avitaween or some other Orlando trip on my part. We were just there last fall, but my wife usually has an occasional business trip there, so maybe I’ll tag along next time just to meet all you central Florida people.
I do wonder how much of Scar’s desire for the kingdom was just his form of vanity? It’s not like he wanted the responsibility.
I find it amusing that I didn’t even disagree with you to begin with, but couldn’t help arguing against your point anyway.
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tariq Said,
May 6, 2009 @ 9:35 am
Yes you’re right…females are natural villians
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Faiqa Said,
May 6, 2009 @ 9:44 am
@Ren: It *was* fun… I’ll definitely be at Avitaween, barring a natural disaster. Also, we’re about 90% sure about attending Mardi Gras next year, so there’s that possibility!! I was really bummed about not meeting you (and your buddy whall) in NM this time.
@tariq: yuk, yuk, yuk. Don’t make me make you cry in front of the Internet.
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whall Said,
May 6, 2009 @ 10:36 am
Have you seen Happily N’Ever After? It’s got a good villianness or whatever you call wanna-be girlie villains.
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Ren Said,
May 6, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
@Faiqa: Doh! Next year is my year off from Mardi Gras after three years in a row.
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Faiqa Said,
May 6, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
@whall: No, I haven’t seen it. And, I’ll show you girlie, you fools!! (See, that’s how the female villains talk, everything ends with IMBECILES or FOOLS!! Because they’re so much smarter than everyone else.)
@Ren: Uh-huh, and you just happen to reveal this information right AFTER I say I’ll be there. I can take a hint, I get it. ::Sobbing:: Btw, you may want to proceed with caution when any woodsmen ask you if you want to go into the forest with them. You know, just until I get over this obvious slight. >:)
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Ren Said,
May 6, 2009 @ 9:06 pm
@Faiqa: Technically, my Mardi Gras float ticket hasn’t been sold yet, but there is a buyer and I am planning to sell it. Avoiding woodsmen –indefinitely.
And in regards to your response to @whall: Yeah, smarter than everyone else. Except puppies.
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ZenMom Said,
May 10, 2009 @ 9:50 pm
This was an excellent post! I’ve had people give me funny looks because of the uber-cool Disney Villains poster that was hanging in my sons’ room. (It’s in my office now that my little minions are exerting their own taste in decor. But it’s still awesome.)
I think part of the appeal of the villains – and, yes, the women are much scarier and more complex – is that they are the closest things to the original feel of the fairy tales.
I love Disney. But these stories were much deeper and richer and more psychologically gripping in their original tellings. The classic villains are the delicious bits of darkness leftover when Disney’s done white-washing the tales.
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