Mirabel Character Analysis in Encanto Essay Sample

In Disney’s animated film Encanto, Mirabel, a young girl in the Madrigal family, is an outcast after not receiving a gift. As explained in the beginning, her family received magical gifts from a candle after a tragic death. On top of Bruno's mysterious vision and disappearance, Mirabel needs to uncover the truth of why the Casita is crumbling and why the “magic is dying.” Mirabel feels like an outcast in her home, but she maintains an appearance of confidence and never gives up on her intuition, intellectual curiosity, and sense of justice to uncover the truth and protect her family.  

To begin, Mirabel understands that she has to rescue Casita as soon as she discovers that she is in Bruno's vision. As written in the film, when ”Mirabel stares at the candle,” it grows dim, fading slowly. She then whispers to herself, “‘I will save the miracle’” (Smith And Bush 31). This acknowledges that Mirabel commits to her role immediately. Instead of denying what she viewed in the vision, she decides to dig deeper into it. Though it is clear that Mirabel is confident within her new role of “saving the miracle”. She does not doubt the situation in any form throughout the movie.This is expressed when Mirabel goes around pestering Luisa if she heard anything about the miracle after Dolores tells her to ask Luisa (Encanto).. These actions show how Mirabel wants to get the maximum amount of information about Bruno's vision to further benefit her cause. By asking around, it proves that Mirabel is committed to this and that she understands the weight and urgency of the situation. Instead of waiting around, she gets straight to work questioning everything and anything. As seen, Mirabel is committed to her role in saving Casita.

Furthermore, by digging deeper into the miracle, Mirabel is given a better understanding of how to save the crumbling Casita. As observed by the audience, Mirabel asks Bruno, “‘Why was I in your vision’” when she finally catches up to him. She then continues, “‘ You left to protect me?’” (Smith and Bush 65). This emphasizes that Mirabel cares about her family and Casita. When she runs after Bruno, it is apparent that Mirabel was willing to go to extreme lengths to uncover the truth about her family. It gives a better understanding of how wounded her family is. Mirabel wants to get to the bottom of Bruno's vision, healing Casita and her family once and for all.   

Subsequently, Mirabel has a sense of justice in order to prove herself to her family by saving the miracle. In this scene of Encanto, it can be observed that Mirabels’s sister- Isabella- views her as an obstacle. Especially when she taunts her during the preparation for Antonio's ceremony, “ If you weren't always trying so hard then maybe you wouldn't be in the way!’”(Smith and Bush 15). This suggests that by being pushed around often it provokes a sense of aggravation within Mirabel. Although in the movie all she tries to do is help, time and time again, each time being scolded once more. Her consequences were intensified due to the factor that she is the only one without a gift. Mirabel is offended that her family, especially abuela, thinks that she is incapable of doing anything useful around the village for that sole fact. Meanwhile she believes that she can accomplish as much as a gifted person, believing as if her potential is being wasted. Throughout the film, it is evident when Mirabel was tasked to “save the miracle”, it also gave her a chance to prove herself to Abuela. (Encanto) In order to justify her potential, Mirabel tasked herself with this alone, without the help of a gifted person. She believes that if she succeeds with little to no assistance, it will boost her status in Abuela’s mind. When given such a large task, Mirabel has felt as if she was deemed to finish it in order to make herself worthy to her family. 

Others may argue that Mirabel is not confident in the success rate of her task. She doubts the whole situation. During the ceremony, Mirabel feels like an outcast to her family because they will not let her into the photo. (statement)  “(Mirabel) Her reality returning… she knows her dreams are fantasy, ‘Am I to late for a miracle?’” (Smith and Bush 27). It is evident that Mirabel has a moment of doubt, she doesn't believe in herself to complete this task.  As an insight into her mind it is clear that Mirabel may give up. Saving her family and the casita seems like (word) dream rather than a fate.  But when one looks at the facts, it is observed that in the chorus beforehand, she sings, “‘I am ready! C’mon I'm ready!’” (Smith and Bush 26). This proves that Mirabel is able to look beyond her past struggles and flaws. She is ready to start fresh with her task. Even though Mirabel has a bit of doubt in the beginning she doesn't choose to dwell on the downfalls but rather look up on what she can do.

In the final analysis, through intuition, intellectual curiosity and justice, Mirabel tries to protect her family while maintaining a sense of confidence and self worth.