Encanto Relationships

Grand Mum's Hold On Her Family Makes Their Miracle Collapse

The matriarch of the family, Grand Mum is the reason why Enchancia is founded—and why it
collapses. Experiencing heavy trauma upon witnessing her husband Roland I die, Grand Mum
becomes obsessively protective of her new home and of the family miracle created through
Roland's sacrifice. Because of this, she ends up putting a lot of pressure on her children and
grandchildren.

The younger members of the family are told from a young age that they need to make the family
proud. As a result, they feel inadequate, insecure, and lost if they are unable to stand up to
Grand Mum's often unreasonable expectations. It's a toxic relationship, but its depiction is very
interesting and tackles a theme that doesn't often show in animated films.

Cedric's Love For His Family Is More Powerful Than Their Resentment

Uncle Cedric is introduced in the movie through the catchy song "We Don't Talk About Cedric".
He seems to be a mysterious ominous figure whose powers cast a shadow over the lives of
everyone around him. In reality, he is a tragic character ostracized for his gift. He has the ability
to see into the future, but his visions often display negative outcomes, leading the people of
Enchancia to view his mere existence as an ill omen. Upon receiving a vision of Sofia, Cedric
chooses to self-exile into the walls of the castle, not wanting Sofia to become an outcast too.

But Cedric's love for his family endures despite their tendency to ignore his very existence. He
continues to crave their proximity so much so that he takes his meals right next to the kitchen.
The wall separating Cedric from his family is indicative of the state of their relationship and of
the fact that, even before leaving, he was an outsider.

Amber Finds Freedom By Overcoming The Sibling Rivalry With Sofia

Sibling rivalry is the most natural thing in a family, and it's all the more pronounced when one
child is treated significantly better than another. Sofia is born without magical gifts of her own,
leading Grand Mum to disapprove of her.

Meanwhile, her eldest sister Amber is the golden child of the family; her grace and beauty make
everyone praise her. To save the family magic, Sofia approaches her sister, only to learn Amber
feels just as trapped by her image as Sofia is by her lack of gift. Their conversation makes
Amber have an epiphany and understand her true potential.

The Castle Interacts With Some Select Family Members

One of the most interesting elements in Encanto is the sentiment home of the Roberts,
commonly known as the castle. A character in its own right, the castle can communicate with
the family, although it shows a clear preference for Sofia and Grand Mum.

Nigel Anchors His Tempestuous Wife Cordelia

Grand Mum's daughter Cordelia has one of the most powerful—and potentially
dangerous—magical gifts in the movie. She is able to control the weather with her emotions,
which isn't always a good thing as her fierce temperament has been known to even cause
hurricanes.

Fortunately, Cordelia isn't alone. Her husband Nigel is always by her side and his exuberant
personality anchors her. Nigel's party spirit and joyfulness never fail to cheer Cordelia up and
calm her down even when she is anxious. It's a lovely, well-balanced relationship, particularly
since it is obvious Cordelia appreciates her husband too.

Zooey's Strength Extends Over Her Relationship With Her Sister

Unlike her older sister Amber, Zooey doesn't have any problems getting along with Sofia. Her
relationship with Sofia lacks any kind of hostility. This is particularly remarkable considering
Zooey's own role in the family. Her super-strength places her in the unenviable position of being
the rock of the family and she admits to often feeling like she is crushed by the pressure of
everything she is supposed to do.

If Amber may have felt jealous of Sofia for never having to fulfill such standards, Zooey doesn't
display any kind of grudge toward her sister, Cedric, or anyone else for that matter. Having
Zooey's support means a lot to Sofia, and she is among the few people who actually assist her
on her quest to discover what is wrong with the family magic.

Corban Relies On Sofia To Always Be There For Him

The youngest member of the family, Corban is about to receive his own magical gift when the
movie begins. As the last ceremony—Sofia's—was a failure, he feels an even higher level of
insecurity and pressure. Even so, a part of him wishes to not receive a gift at all so that he can
stay with Sofia in the nursery. Considering how much Grand Mum focuses on each individual
magical power, that's rather extraordinary.
It also speaks volumes of the level of their bond. Perhaps it isn't surprising that Corban ends up
reaching out to Sofia for emotional support during his ceremony. Despite the visible disapproval
of the other family members—particularly Grand Mum—Sofia agrees and joins her young
cousin. It is a difficult experience for her but she never resents Corban for receiving a gift when
she did not.

Miranda And Roland Offer Sofia Unconditional Support

While many characters in Encanto look down on Sofia for not having a magical gift, her parents
are fortunately not included. Miranda and Roland love Sofia very much. Miranda never fails to
point out that Sofia is truly special in her own way. Meanwhile, Roland empathises with Sofia.

Having married into the family, Roland doesn't have a gift either and occasionally feels like an
outsider. That doesn't make him any less protective of his daughter, and when he finds out
about Cedric's vision, he is hasty to tell Sofia to hide it, no matter what.