Toy Story’s Woody has become one of the most beloved Disney characters of all time. While he is a fictional toy, his character is so relatable and real, that for many of us, he has become a life lesson on maturity and decision making. With the recent release of Toy Story 4, we once again get to see Woody’s character development as he navigates new adventures.
Woody’s journey of growth and decision-making is not exclusive to his own character. Characters throughout the Disney universe have taught us valuable lessons about making choices and growing up.
In Toy Story 2, we see Woody torn between his loyalty to his owner, Andy, and his desire to stay with the love of his life, Bo Peep. She represents his life as a toy, while Andy is his human life. We see similar situations in other Disney movies, like Frozen. Anna’s struggle throughout the movie is her desire for love and acceptance, versus her responsibility to take care of her kingdom.
“Woody, what’s going on?” Buzz asked as he stepped into the room. “You’ve been pacing around for hours.”
“I’m having a tough time making a decision,” Woody replied. “I want to keep helping Bonnie, but I feel like I’m letting down Bo Peep.”
“Decision making is tough, but you can’t let your past prevent you from moving forward,” Buzz advised.
Buzz Lightyear knew a thing or two about growing up. As a toy, he learned about making choices and stepping out of his comfort zone.
In Toy Story, Buzz was adamant that he wasn’t a toy and was ready to go back to his “real life.” But as the story progresses, he learns to accept his role as a toy and becomes part of Andy’s toy family. His journey teaches us about humility and accepting things as they are, rather than how we want them to be.
Just like Buzz’s realization, Simba from The Lion King also struggled with accepting responsibility. As a cub, he didn’t want to be king and ran away from his duty. However, his journey taught him that running away from responsibilities doesn’t solve anything. At the end of the movie, he maturely accepts his place as king and takes his place as the ruler of the Pride Lands.
Through Woody and Buzz, we see two toys who found their place in the world, but their growth was not without struggles. Similarly, we have the story of Mulan, who learns about maturity and decision making through her struggle to save her father and serve her country.
She was willing to put herself in harm’s way to save her father, but she also had to learn to work within her role as a woman in the military. She used her intelligence and strategic thinking to overcome challenges, and her dedication to her father and her country helped her grow as a person.
“Buzz, I don’t want to abandon Bonnie, but I also don’t want to abandon Bo Peep again,” Woody said.
“It’s not about abandoning anyone,” Buzz replied. “It’s about learning to balance your priorities.”
Buzz’s advice was similar to that of Maui from Moana. Maui was a demigod, but he learned that using his powers for selfish reasons did not bring him happiness. He had to learn to put aside his pride and work for the greater good. Similarly, Woody had to learn that his responsibility as a toy extended beyond his own wants and desires.
Through these Disney characters, we can learn valuable lessons about coming of age and growing up. Woody’s journey in Toy Story shows us that we can’t let our past dictate our future, and we can’t run away from our responsibilities. Similarly, characters like Buzz, Simba, Mulan, and Maui teach us about accepting our roles, working for the greater good, and balancing our priorities.
At the end of Toy Story 4, Woody makes his decision to stay with Bo Peep and take on a new adventure. It was not a decision he made lightly, but it was one that showed his maturity and growth as a toy. Though his journey may have come to an end in the Toy Story franchise, his lessons are ones we can carry with us throughout our lives.
Disney characters like Woody, Buzz, Simba, Mulan, and Maui teach us valuable life lessons about decision making, maturity, accepting responsibilities, and balancing priorities. Their journeys show us that we can’t let our past dictate our future and must work for the greater good.
“Toy Story’s Woody has become a life lesson on maturity and decision making.”