Exploring Sibling Bonds and Emotional Distance in the Film Frozen: The Role of Birth Order and Attachment

Authors

  • Merlin A. A. Vellore Institute of Technology
  • V. Vijayalakshmi Vellore Institute of Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1511.07

Keywords:

birth order theory, attachment theory, anxious attachment style, avoidant attachment style, sibling estrangement

Abstract

Birth order influences a child’s personality development and has an impact on their attachment style significantly shaping their dynamics with their siblings. This paper focuses on sibling estrangement by analysing the sisters Elsa and Anna from the film Frozen (2013). Applying Alfred Adler’s Birth order theory and, John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth’s Attachment theory, the paper focuses on the two attachment styles that the sisters attain, Elsa acquires avoidant attachment style, showing traits such as isolation, loneliness, and disinterest in emotional attachment while Anna obtains anxious attachment style, indicating features of wanting to have an emotional bond and fear of being left alone. The study works on the importance of the relationship and communication between siblings. The estrangement between the sisters in the film Frozen is analysed by utilizing the two attachment styles (anxious and avoidant). Through instances, dialogues, and scenes from the film, an understanding of the connection between birth order and attachment styles can be analysed through the sibling relationship between Anna and Elsa. The emotional well-being and the harmony in the relationship that the siblings share after the estrangement show the importance of communication to revive from the sibling estrangement.

Author Biographies

Merlin A. A., Vellore Institute of Technology

School of Social Sciences and Languages

V. Vijayalakshmi, Vellore Institute of Technology

School of Social Sciences and Languages

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2025-11-03

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