By: Zoe Gesmundo
Published: January 19, 2022
It is not lost on the viewers how this movie shows a representation of generational trauma. I will be going through how this is clearly visible in the marvelous and complex characters that make up this story.
This is obviously not how easy it would be to mend something of this nature in real life, but as a film that is accessible and popularized to many individuals, it’s a step in the right direction. Being aware.
Encanto, the newest 60th Disney film, has quickly become a definitive favorite and now holds a special place in the lives of many. A story so beautifully told that can be replayed to our heart’s content. The Madrigal family is one that goes through 3 generations worth of gifted individuals that share a household with one another, but all are shaken when Mirabel is yet to receive a miracle. This film has brought on magnificent storytelling and visuals but also resonated with the experiences and lives of numerous individuals. It is not lost on the viewers how this movie shows a representation of generational trauma. I will be going through how this is clearly visible in the marvelous and complex characters that make up this story.
Abuela is the matriarch to not only her family but to the village that takes residence near the encanto. She is put into this leadership position by force, and while she holds pride in what she has accomplished, it does not push away the expectations she craved in her life. She is the first generation in the household and the foundation of what is to become of this newfound community. Before the film is thrown into the current time, we are presented with a flashback to the creation of the miracle. This is being told by Abuela, and we can see the sacrifice that Abuelo made for his family and it highlighted how it had led to the miracle and creation of community.
This was clearly a downplayed version of Abuela’s experience, as it is seen from Mirabel’s perspective, who has never been told the true depth of emotion that the experience brought on Abuela. Later on, it is revealed the true anguish that she felt when she is brought back to the physical location where the love of her life was lost.
She not only shows the absolute distraught and helplessness she felt but the happiness that was found and lost before it.
Abuela never had the time nor the freedom to process these emotions, and heal from the traumatic experience she was subjected to at such a young age. She was desperate for stability and safety so she became it because she was not granted that same privilege. She is often looked at to make arrangements for the day and events, as well as being turned to in times of distress. Seeming to not a have single moment to herself until she is left alone in her room, which is a continuous reminder of her unprocessed grief as it mirrors the one she had with her Pedro. There are those who criticize how quickly she was forgiven or that she was truly a villain, but in the end, the story humanized her by showing us the extent of pain she had endured for her family. She loves her family, as they do her. This love does not diminish the wrong-doings that have occurred but rather triumphs it.
Peppa and Julieta are the daughters of Abuela and the second generation within the household. Julieta is the eldest daughter and is presented as the constant caring maternal figure. She is always looking out for Mirabel and constantly has conflicts with Abuela because of this. I believe that she feels rather helpless in trying to fix the problems within the family, so she sticks with healing everyone around her. Something that is sure, and something she can help with. She longs to protect her family, especially Mirabel from anything she can. She is never shown with her own problems because she is supposed to be this figure which can always be turned to. Peppa, her sister, has gifts that are reliant on her mood and manifest into the weather that surrounds her. She is never given a moment to not think about how her emotions would affect others. The constant comments about her negative emotions only worsen them further, and she learns to live in fear of them. She even creates a chant in order to calm herself, “Clear skies.”. In a household where they were expected to be perfect, it was difficult for her to wear all her emotions on her sleeve.
There are 2 men, Félix and Agustín, who enter the family by marrying Peppa and Julieta. They most likely had to make a grand proposal as Mariano did to Isabela. They are 2 of the few people in the household without a miracle. Instead, they show constant support towards their wives and their family. Felix tries to support Peppa in all her endeavors and seems to be able to calm her down while allowing her to process her emotions. Agustín does the same, especially when it comes to his daughters. He tries to comfort Mirabel by relating to not having a gift. He admires the family, but is not afraid to fight against the beliefs he does not agree with.
Bruno, Abuela’s son, is considered the black sheep of the family. What he sees through his visions of the future, deconstructs the image of perfection put upon the family, and in turn he becomes an outcast. He loves his family, but he went against the norms and image set by Abuela and the people. He wanted the family, including himself, to have the freedom of acting outside of their gifts and archetypes.
He knew how it felt to be faulted for everyone’s problems and did not long for that same fate for Mirabel. Even when he was reintroduced to the family, he continued to believe he had to apologize for his actions.
The 3rd generation has a rather lot, but let us start off with Dolores and Isabela. Isabela is the eldest grandchild of the bunch and is given the responsibility of continuing the family line. It seems that the life that Abuela longed for was passed down to her. She believes that all of the familial stability and expectations are put upon her. The need to make no mistake and appear perfect has been the leading factor of her life. She may have inherited this from Julieta, as she also longs to be an example to the rest of the grandchildren. No matter what she may think behind doors, as long as she is to remain flawless in front of others, she is at no fault. She is revealed to want to create a life where flaws aren’t faults but character. Her cousin Dolores on the other hand seemed to want the life of Isabela. She is kept quiet throughout the film, and has statements completely disregarded from time to time. Although she can hear every little secret the town carries, she does not relay any of it. This may be because of Peppa, and the fear Dolores carries to tell something upsetting to her. She is usually only turned to when it seems useful to the family.
Luisa and Antonio, which may seem like an odd combination, both experience a great deal of pressure and reliance put upon them by the family. Luisa’s song highlights this pressure that is put upon her, as Isabela seemed to be weightless and Mirabel was given less duties. She maintains a kind nature to everyone around her, but she feels a great anxiety if she does not satisfy them. She makes one falter in her actions, and she feels as though she has let everyone down. Antonio feels this stress in a different manner. His ceremony is the first one to occur after Mirabel did not receive hers. You can see his anxiety of not receiving one, and how the family would handle that information. During the lead up of his ceremony, he gets looks of fear instead of admiration, and he notices them and is fearful for what is to come next.
Camilo and Mirabel, the last of the grandchildren. Camilo is able to shape-shift into anyone he wants. He actively uses this power to make people feel more comfortable and happier. This may stem from seeing his worth from what he could be or do for someone else. He longs to help others, but most of his screen time was him as a different person. I believe he only finds use in himself if he is who the others want him to be. This may have been indirectly caused by Peppa because he wanted to so desperately please her that he would go through any means to do so, even becoming somebody else. Last, but not the least, Mirabel. She resumes the role of Bruno, as the black sheep of the family, when she does not receive her gift. She is often ridiculed or dismissed by her family, and told to be left behind. She is also not allowed to show her feelings of contempt because it was made clear to her that her situation was more of a burden to the family which should not be worsened by her. She lives in fear of making a mistake, but also in fear of amounting to nothing.
I believe he only finds use in himself if he is who the others want him to be. This may have been indirectly caused by Peppa because he wanted to so desperately please her
This movies does not show the most accurate depiction of the healing process.
Having all these different minded individuals under one household was bound to lead to conflicts and unspoken truths. In the end it is Mirabel who makes the first step in resolving such a deeply rooted conflict, and it does not come without stepping on a few toes. This movies does not show the most accurate depiction of the healing process. This is obviously not how easy it would be to mend something of this nature in real life, but as a film that is accessible and popularized to many individuals, it’s a step in the right direction. Being aware.