Snow White: She was “the fairest in the land” — but look how far that got her! No, Snow White’s true beauty was inner — and it showed through the way she cared for the forest animals and embraced her life with the dwarves. She believed that there is good in everyone, and refuses to give in to hatred, even when treated with unkindness (Grumpy).

Sleeping Beauty (Princess Aurora): Okay, I won’t deny. She’s pretty ridiculous. Prince Phillip is the true, underrated hero of this story, willing to fight to save a girl he barely knows.

Jasmine: Although by law forced to marry, she sees behind the facades of the many suiters, who are only after her money, beauty, and the power of her family. She clearly falls for Aladdin when they first meet in the marketplace; and she knows that he is not wealthy. When he is disguised as Prince Ali, she doesn’t swoon until he proves he actually is a real, kind person; not to mention she realizes he is, in fact, the boy from the market. In the end, Aladdin is not a prince; he still has nothing, but Jasmine truly loves him, and chooses him anyway.

Ariel: This is another one I won’t deny as shallow. However, her bravery in saving Eric from the shipwreck and fighting Ursula at the end are both great signs of heroism.

Belle: Okay, come on. Although she’s not my favorite princess, Belle is the shit. She turns down the handsome, popular, and most likely weathly Gaston because he is concieted, chauvinistic, and quite frankly, stupid. When her father is lost in the woods, Belle does not hesitate to find him, and then sacrifice herself to a life as a prisoner so that Maurice may be set free. Belle despises the Beast at first; he is, after all, holding her captive. After a frightening outburst in the West Wing, Belle flees the castle, only to be attacked by wolves. The Beast saves her, and because of this show of kindness, Belle nurses his wounds. The Beast, who’s heart is still human, is naturally attracted to Belle; her beauty, her bravery, and her kindness. He improves his attitude, the two become closer, and Belle is able to look past his outward appearance and see the man behind the fur.

Cinderella: Cindy is an orphan who is treated horribly by her step-family. She is taught from a young age that she is worthless. However, she does not let her station in life define her. She has a quote (I’m just going from memory, so this may be wrong) that basically says, “Oh, that clock! Old killjoy! ‘Time to get up!’ he says. Even he orders me about. Well, there’s one thing. They can’t order me to stop dreaming.” Cinderella knows that beyond the cruelty of Lady Tremaine and her daughters, life is good, and someday, she will enjoy that life.

I will never deny that there are flaws in the stories. They are, after all, fairy-tales. They have happily ever afters and whirlwind romances. But there are morals within them, and the tales are timeless.