Encanto’s Mirabel: A Narrative Paradox

Clocking in as Disney’s biggest movie of 2021 grossing a whopping $223.5 million worldwide, Encanto is nothing short of fantastic. While it still employs the quintessential Disney formula of magic, diversified storytelling, and upbeat songs (which it does exceptionally well, might I add), it also succeeds in making us tear up a bit and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Kids and adults alike can relate to the motivations and desires driving the actions of people. Disney has truly come a long way in writing supporting characters, one could even argue lead characters. I’m happy to see individuals on-screen who are empathetic and well-rounded instead of one-dimensional personalities who never get an arc or whose arc does not feel earned enough.

However, a sort of paradox is presented when it comes to Mirabel, the main character who also happens to be the only person in her family who is giftless. In Mirabel’s pursuit of finding herself, do we, the audience, lose her? Do we miss out on getting to know Mirabel outside of her trying to make sense of her giftless-ness? With such a wonderful premise for a coming-of-age story, many questions warrant answers. While I understand not a lot of people feel this way, I think it’s at least worth talking about.

Mirabel is different and she knows it. Throughout the movie we see her trying her hardest to please Abuela and the rest of the Madrigal family by helping out as much as possible. She does her best in order to compensate for her lack of special abilities when she doesn’t really have to. Abuela is the one making her feel that way. She’s the one who perpetuates the ideology that a Madrigal is supposed to be nothing less than gifted. Mirabel gives in to this ideology not because she wants to, but because she has no other choice. Although her parents constantly reassure her that she’s enough the way she is, it’s hard for Mirabel to believe them when Abuela, the highest familial authority, doesn’t exactly feel the same way. With this, Mirabel is set on constantly trying to win Abuela over and is forced to act like everything’s okay in order not to mess up and upset her.

However, in a movie about her coming to terms with this dissimilarity, who is Mirabel outside of being different? Is her difference only a fraction of who she is or does it serve to define Mirabel as a person? Is fitting in all she desires? I don’t think there are conclusive answers to these questions. Nevertheless, it’s possible there can be personal ones. Mirabel’s struggle to make sense of her not being blessed with a gift directly juxtaposes that of her family members’ struggle to make sense of the responsibility being placed upon them because of their gift. Does that answer the question of whether or not her difference defines her? Not yet. But it does help put into perspective how everyone else’s giftedness defines them. Luisa is strong, but she’s tired of the pressure of having to put up with everyone’s demands every single day. Isabela can grow a variety of flowers, but she’s had enough of always being the perfect little princess catering to Abuela’s desires. Bruno can see the future, but he’s constantly shunned for being able to predict things but not control them. Now we see how Mirabel may not be as different from her family as she thinks herself to be.

For me, at least, Mirabel’s difference defines both a part of her while simultaneously defining all of her. Who is Mirabel outside of her trying to make sense of her giftless-ness? She’s a spunky, kind soul who loves to make stuffed toys and fights with her sister sometimes. But she’s also a Madrigal who doesn’t feel like one. She has an inferiority complex which constantly makes her want to please others even when it doesn’t make her happy anymore. She’s a person who longs to be something more but can’t. She can’t see the flip side of being gifted because she’s blinded by the promise of it finally making her worthy of Abuela’s love. Mirabel is neither one nor the other. She tries not to let her difference define her, but at the same time, being just like everyone else is the only thing she yearns for.

This is the narrative paradox of Encanto’s Mirabel. While it’s not a very difficult or complicated one to understand, it’s definitely worth a discussion. I apologize if I am unable to conclude this with a climactic exposition. There is not much left to talk about since the answer lies in our varying held opinions. However, in a way, I think Mirabel is all of us, trying her hardest to convince other people she belongs in this world. Was she too late for a miracle? We may never know. But that’s besides the point. My only hope is to have been able to communicate the intricacy of Mirabel’s character through the lens of her hard-fought struggles.