For my A2 Media coursework
Friday, 19 September 2014
Abstract
How has the Representation of the Heroine within Disney Films Changed over Time?
Abstract: The purpose of this essay is to determine how females have been unfairly characterised in the media (predominantly focusing on popular children’s films such as those made by Disney). Previous research on heroism, such as that conducted by Female First1 (a lifestyle website) on classic Disney Princesses such as Pocahontas, and articles conducted by popular women’s magazines such as Cosmopolitan2 on new Disney Princesses such as Merida from Brave, will be mentioned throughout this essay. Other sources of research will include blog sites and presentations on Slide Share which have been composed to help answer the concerns around stereotypical Disney princesses. Concepts such as The Male Gaze by Laura Mulvey will assist in clarifying how feminism is very much over-looked by Disney as an institution. For example, Jasmine (from Disney’s Aladdin) is a perfectly proportioned girl who wears non-traditional, revealing clothes. Whereas the male character is shown in traditional clothes but when wearing those that are more revealing, you can clearly see him being portrayed as strong and muscly with Jasmine by his side, adoring him. However feminism is showing through in new Disney films such as Frozen where Anna wakes in the morning with messy tangled hair.
In addition to finding out how females are represented in this genre of film, this paper will be discussing how these unfair representations affect their audience, both children and adults. Many view Disney films as an escape from the real world but just how much of an escape is it? The impression of young women being trapped with the only hope of freedom is from a prince is argued to be too unrealistic for the spectators who watch these films. It may be distributing the wrong message to children (Disney’s primary target audience) who insist on dressing up in princess costumes, dreaming of being saved by someone who they have never met. The idea of having to look perfect, sing beautifully and be saved by a man can stick with children their whole lives and though they may not realise it, the notion is reflected in adult women too. Having such unfair representations of women to be presented as their role models as the audience grows up can have an effect on the way they think they should talk and how they need to look and dress. Out of all of the princesses, Disney has failed to bring a “normal” representation into the mix. There are no girls who wear trousers (or anything other than a long dress in fact) or who are overweight (or even of an average healthy weight) who are not seen as beautiful. Any female representation which is anything other than slim, spotless and dainty, is seen as a villain. For example, Ursula from The Little Princess and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty3 – both women, both ugly in the eyes of the media.
This essay will be exploring Disney films from the 1930’s right towards this present day. The research conducted will also show the development of female representation throughout the ages and how the heroine of female characters has altered. In the 90’s the princesses never had a hair out of place whereas now, princesses such as Brave’s Merida has huge messy ginger hair- something which a lot of people may not find desirable however Disney is beginning to teach that it does not stop you from being beautiful. Disney is also beginning to show a change in narrative with the latest animated films such as Brave and Frozen. Both have main female characters who tried to save their female relatives. Disney is becoming less reliant on men.
Disney is progressing to become more realistic however certain aspects such as a female hero saving a man or a female saving another female who is not a relative, even a female of a slightly more average weight are still not being portrayed. Everyone is still waiting for a princesses that they can truly relate too.
Abstract: The purpose of this essay is to determine how females have been unfairly characterised in the media (predominantly focusing on popular children’s films such as those made by Disney). Previous research on heroism, such as that conducted by Female First1 (a lifestyle website) on classic Disney Princesses such as Pocahontas, and articles conducted by popular women’s magazines such as Cosmopolitan2 on new Disney Princesses such as Merida from Brave, will be mentioned throughout this essay. Other sources of research will include blog sites and presentations on Slide Share which have been composed to help answer the concerns around stereotypical Disney princesses. Concepts such as The Male Gaze by Laura Mulvey will assist in clarifying how feminism is very much over-looked by Disney as an institution. For example, Jasmine (from Disney’s Aladdin) is a perfectly proportioned girl who wears non-traditional, revealing clothes. Whereas the male character is shown in traditional clothes but when wearing those that are more revealing, you can clearly see him being portrayed as strong and muscly with Jasmine by his side, adoring him. However feminism is showing through in new Disney films such as Frozen where Anna wakes in the morning with messy tangled hair.
In addition to finding out how females are represented in this genre of film, this paper will be discussing how these unfair representations affect their audience, both children and adults. Many view Disney films as an escape from the real world but just how much of an escape is it? The impression of young women being trapped with the only hope of freedom is from a prince is argued to be too unrealistic for the spectators who watch these films. It may be distributing the wrong message to children (Disney’s primary target audience) who insist on dressing up in princess costumes, dreaming of being saved by someone who they have never met. The idea of having to look perfect, sing beautifully and be saved by a man can stick with children their whole lives and though they may not realise it, the notion is reflected in adult women too. Having such unfair representations of women to be presented as their role models as the audience grows up can have an effect on the way they think they should talk and how they need to look and dress. Out of all of the princesses, Disney has failed to bring a “normal” representation into the mix. There are no girls who wear trousers (or anything other than a long dress in fact) or who are overweight (or even of an average healthy weight) who are not seen as beautiful. Any female representation which is anything other than slim, spotless and dainty, is seen as a villain. For example, Ursula from The Little Princess and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty3 – both women, both ugly in the eyes of the media.
This essay will be exploring Disney films from the 1930’s right towards this present day. The research conducted will also show the development of female representation throughout the ages and how the heroine of female characters has altered. In the 90’s the princesses never had a hair out of place whereas now, princesses such as Brave’s Merida has huge messy ginger hair- something which a lot of people may not find desirable however Disney is beginning to teach that it does not stop you from being beautiful. Disney is also beginning to show a change in narrative with the latest animated films such as Brave and Frozen. Both have main female characters who tried to save their female relatives. Disney is becoming less reliant on men.
Disney is progressing to become more realistic however certain aspects such as a female hero saving a man or a female saving another female who is not a relative, even a female of a slightly more average weight are still not being portrayed. Everyone is still waiting for a princesses that they can truly relate too.
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