Olaf: Frozen's Unlikely Supernatural Guide

Olaf: Frozen's Unlikely Supernatural Guide

In the Disney film “Frozen,” the protagonist, Anna, must reunite with her sister Elsa in order to bring her back. Throughout her journey, she meets a variety of characters, such as Kristoff, Sven, the trolls, and Oaken, that really tall store owner (I hope you know who I’m talking about). All these characters benefit her in some way, but none have the true purpose that her childhood snowman Olaf does: supernatural aid. This step in Joseph Campbell’s monomyth is crucial to Anna’s story because it provides a place of comfort and support throughout her journey. Not only that, her helper benefits her more than he seems to, although his role in her story is often overlooked.

First, let’s talk about the monomyth. The writer Joseph Campbell created it to better understand the progressions and transformations in the journey of a hero, hence the name, “The Hero’s Journey.” In it are a whopping seventeen steps, each with their own purpose of describing the stage said hero is currently stationed in. Supernatural aid is the third step in the initiation phase in which the hero gains some help from an outside force, often mirroring someone or something from their past. This creates some familiarity while the hero travels through the unknown. The guardian also helps the hero move along through difficult parts in the journey.

    Anna’s supernatural guide is none other than the beloved Olaf! Just for some backstory, Olaf was created together by Anna and Elsa when they were young, seen in the scene where Anna gets her classic white hair streak. The recalling of this character that represents a moment of pure happiness and familial love is really important to have throughout Anna’s search for her sister. This mirrors the part in Campbell’s description of supernatural aid as a “promise that the peace of Paradise, which was known first in the mother womb, [that] is not to be lost”(Hero's Journey 2024). While it might not seem like an important part of the supernatural aid step, it is purely because the hero needs to have a reliable companion and a reminder that there is hope. It is just as important in Frozen, because Anna and her crew, lost, stumble across Olaf in a forest, and he helps them not only by giving directions but by reminding Anna of why she is on her journey.

When Anna finally comes to Elsa’s castle on top of the North mountain, she tells Olaf to wait before coming inside because she worries that he will startle Elsa and prevent her from coming back. However, Olaf takes her instructions literally and waits one minute before coming in. Elsa sees him and is briefly overcome with the memory of happier times with her sister, almost convincing Elsa to come back before she realizes the severity of her actions. In coming close to her goal, Anna’s supernatural aid is shown through Olaf. While not purposefully helping her, the mere presence of Olaf is enough to dissolve some tension between the two sisters for a little while, adding to how Campbell has outlined this specific step in his monomyth.

Olaf also has a comedic role, where he makes situations lighter, easing Anna’s troubles momentarily. This form of supernatural aid, although it may not be the most conventional or literal, is extremely important in Anna’s travels because it is how the characters cope with their difficult adventures. Olaf appeared at just the right time, and helped out in just the right ways. He helped Anna by sustaining her life while sacrificing himself, which in itself is likely the most important job he could have. So while Olaf is not the main character, he still remains the most huggable snowman we all know and love.

- Citlali :)

Works Cited:          

“Hero’s Journey.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Sept. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey#CITEREFCampbell2008.

Lee, Jennifer, director. Frozen. Disney, 2014.

Mciaburri. Frozen Olaf In Fireplace Wallpaper. Wallpapers.com, https://wallpapers.com/wallpapers/frozen-olaf-in-fireplace-eacirw1stgjvtdgz.html. Accessed 19 Sept. 2024.

Frozen. Disney.com, https://movies.disney.com/frozen. Accessed 19 Sept. 2024.