As a person who grew up on Disney movies, I can get impassioned when the value of these movies is called into question.

This debate about the portrayal of the Disney princesses particularly hits a nerve. I love the Disney movies, and I still manage to feel strong and empowered.

I feel that those who criticize the princesses because of how they are portrayed and the supposed messages they are sending to girls are not looking at the whole picture.

There are several examples of the women in these stories being strong and independent. They also focus a lot on trying to find love, which the writer in last week's FN criticized.

Of course, in reality people don't fall in love the instant they meet and get married a few days later, because love is more complex than that. But many of the most popular stories today are about people trying to find love; do these characters too deserve criticism for trying to catch a "hottie"?

  The writer also pointed out that the movie "Beauty and the Beast" has themes of domestic violence and that girls are being told that if they are nice to those who abuse them they can change them.

I do not see this message in the film at all. First of all, the Beast is portrayed as simply that, a beast, from the beginning of the film. He is angry and frightening and intimidating as any imagining of a beast could be. The relationship is between captor and prisoner, and it is not meant to be seen romantically.

It is not until after the Beast saves Belle's life that things begin to turn around, and Belle is able to see what lies behind his mask. Before that point, however, Belle is strong enough to stand up for herself and yell back, and even attempts to escape, which are characteristics not usually seen in someone who thinks herself in love.

As to the point the writer made that literature reflects the culture in which it was written, I would hope that an English major would know that none of these stories are originally contemporary to our culture. They are all based on fairy tales and short stories that have been around for ages.

  For example, the story of "Beauty and the Beast" has roots as early the 1550s in "The Nights of Straparola", with modern adaptations based on a version written in 1756. "The Little Mermaid" is based on Hans Christian Andersen's story written in 1837. And several other iconic Disney princesses are based on some of the well-known "Grimm's Fairy Tales."

My point is that none of these are modern characters placed in modern times. They are characters in old stories who are looking for the things in life that make them happy, something to which I'm sure most can relate.

If Disney is really so terrible, then maybe we should do away with all other fanciful animated shows and films which may not necessarily portray reality, but do give enjoyment and optimism and foster the imaginations of kids across the world.