Disney Pixar’s Elemental Teaches Us About Diversity & Emotion Expression
In the enchanting world of Disney and Pixar’s film Elemental, where elements like fire, water, earth, and air come to life, we are immersed in a captivating story of cultural diversity, emotional expression, and the power of human connection. Set in Element City, the film introduces us to Ember, a spirited fire girl, and Wade, an expressive water guy.
Ember, born to immigrant parents from Fireland, navigates the complexities of cultural adaptation and personal fulfillment. Her family’s journey to Element City, in search of a better life, mirrors the struggles of many real-life immigrants who seek refuge and opportunity in foreign lands. As the daughter of immigrants, Ember’s desire to repay her parents for their sacrifices parallels the experiences of many first-generation children.
On the other hand, Wade, a city inspector, was born into a rich family in a city that was built for him. Quite literally…water is integral to the city’s infrastructure. However, Wade still has personal challenges such as wrestling with the memory of his late father, someone who he did not have a close relationship with. Wade’s story underscores the universal truth that every individual faces challenges and difficulties, regardless of their backgrounds or privileges.
While fire and water may seem like opposing elements, the film teaches us that diversity helps societies thrive. For instance, Ember is able to plug water leaks from broken pipes and fix shattered glass through her innate abilities to weld and blow glass. Wade can start a crowd wave, connecting with an entire stadium to make one of the players feel loved. Their stories symbolize the potential of recognizing one’s skills and using those skills to strengthen a community. If it wasn’t for Wade, Ember may not have realized that her innate gift for glassblowing could make a profound impact in a society not inherently designed for her abilities.
Elemental also teaches us about emotional expression. Between Ember’s constant anger-fueled fire explosions and Wade’s frequent streams of tears, the film does not hesitate to portray the full spectrum of emotional expression. However, we notice that Wade’s streams of tears do not cause the same destruction as Ember’s explosive temper. For instance, when Wade cries, we notice that it brings him and his family together. However, when Ember explodes with anger, she burns everything around her.
Through Ember and Wade’s relationship, Wade teaches Ember that anger can be interpreted as a messenger of unaddressed emotions. It may be telling Ember something she is not ready to hear yet. When Ember taps into her anger, she realizes that Wade is correct. Her anger is telling her that she does not want to follow her parents’ expectations of what her life should be – running her father’s shop. Instead, she has her own dreams to follow. Her evolution from hot-headed to self-aware is a testament to the film’s commitment to portray complex emotional journeys.
The film beautifully illustrates the power of culturally diverse societies and elements with access to their full range of emotions. Elemental serves as a compelling model of what our world could look like when we embrace diversity and promote human connection.